AC Milan face a high-stakes showdown as their Champions League hopes hang in the balance—and the consequences could hit hard. Sitting ninth in Serie A with just 10 games left, missing out on Europe’s elite competition might force the Rossoneri to cash in on big names like Rafael Leao, Mike Maignan, or Theo Hernandez. Here’s why a season without UCL football could reshape Milan’s future.
A Legacy at Risk
Milan’s seven Champions League titles make them Serie A’s proudest flag-bearers in Europe, but recent decades have been leaner. The past four years saw them back in the competition, banking €45-50m just for showing up. This season, though, has been a slog—nine points off fourth-placed Bologna after a 2-1 loss to Napoli on Sunday. Without that UCL cash injection, the club might have to sell to fund their summer transfer plans, and the trio of Leao, Maignan, and Hernandez are the prime candidates.
Who’s on the Line?
Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, and Mike Maignan are Milan’s crown jewels—but also their highest earners. Leao’s inconsistency this year hasn’t dimmed his match-winning flair, though his rocky bond with fans and a contract until 2028 make him a tricky case. Hernandez and Maignan, both out of contract in 2026, have underperformed too, with the French duo drawing interest from Premier League sides like Chelsea and Aston Villa. Selling one—or two—could balance the books if the European dream slips away.
Financial Fallout Without UCL
Missing the Champions League isn’t a death knell for Milan’s project, but it stings. That €45-50m guaranteed payday fuels transfers and growth, and without it, tough choices loom. Journalist Mark Guidi suggests a big sale would be inevitable—not catastrophic, just a delay in the Rossoneri’s climb back to the top. The question is: can Sergio Conceicao turn this season around, or will Milan’s stars pay the price for a mid-table finish?
A Pivotal Stretch Ahead
With Udinese next on the docket, Milan’s fight for a top-four spot is far from over. Leao’s still their talisman on his day, and Maignan’s shot-stopping could be clutch. But if the gap widens, the summer could see a transfer exodus—a bitter pill for a club with such a storied past. For now, every point counts as Milan cling to their European hopes in a season teetering on the edge.