1. Overview
Alexis Saelemaekers, born on June 27, 1999, is a Belgian professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger but is also adept at playing as a full-back or wing-back. He is currently on loan at AS Roma from AC Milan, and is a member of the Belgium national football team.
2. Early Life
Alexis Saelemaekers' football journey began in Belgium, developing his skills through local youth academies before joining a prominent club.
2.1. Birth and Youth Career
Alexis Jesse Saelemaekers was born on June 27, 1999, in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, part of the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium. He started his youth career at Verbroedering Beersel-Drogenbos, a club located in Beersel in the Flemish Brabant province, approximately 9.3 mile (15 km) away from his birthplace. In 2011, he moved to the academy of R.S.C. Anderlecht, one of Belgium's most successful clubs, where he continued his football development.
3. Club Career
Saelemaekers' professional career began in Belgium with Anderlecht, before he moved to Italy to play for AC Milan and subsequently for other Serie A clubs on loan.
3.1. RSC Anderlecht
In October 2017, Saelemaekers signed his first professional contract with Anderlecht, set to run until 2019. He made his official professional debut for the club on February 16, 2018, against Sint-Truiden, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute of the match. On June 8, 2018, he renewed his contract with Anderlecht, extending his commitment to the club until 2022. He scored his first professional goal for Anderlecht on September 2, 2019, in a match against Standard Liège.
3.2. AC Milan
On January 31, 2020, AC Milan acquired Saelemaekers on a loan deal that included an option for a permanent transfer. The reported agreement involved a fee of 3.50 M EUR for the loan, with an additional 1.00 M EUR in bonuses if the permanent signing option was exercised. He made his league debut for Milan on February 2, 2020, coming on as a substitute for Davide Calabria in a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona.
On July 1, 2020, AC Milan made Saelemaekers' move permanent, with him signing a contract that would keep him at the club until June 30, 2024. He scored his first goal for AC Milan on July 18, 2020, in a dominant 5-1 home victory over Bologna in Serie A. In October 2020, Saelemaekers scored his first goal of the 2020-21 season against Rio Ave F.C. in a UEFA Europa League qualification match. His next goal came on October 26 in a 3-3 draw against Roma. He scored his third and final goal of that season on December 20 against Sassuolo, contributing to a 2-1 away victory for Milan. Overall, he finished the season with three goals and five assists.
On October 15, 2021, Saelemaekers extended his contract with AC Milan until June 30, 2026, which also included a salary increase. On December 4, he scored his first goal of the 2021-22 season against Salernitana with a powerful left-footed shot, securing a 2-0 win. His next goal was in a Coppa Italia match against Genoa on January 13, 2022, scored during extra time as Milan won 3-1.
3.3. Loan Spells
During his tenure at AC Milan, Alexis Saelemaekers was also sent on loan to other Serie A clubs to gain more playing time and experience.
3.3.1. Bologna FC
On August 30, 2023, Saelemaekers joined Bologna on a loan deal, which included an option to buy. The loan fee was approximately 500.00 K EUR, with the purchase option set at 10.00 M EUR. He quickly became an important player for Bologna, fitting well into manager Thiago Motta's tactical system. Due to the presence of Riccardo Orsolini as an "inverted" left-footed right winger, Saelemaekers, who is right-footed, often played on the left wing in a similar role, a position he had occasionally filled at Milan in the absence of Rafael Leão. He made his debut for Bologna on September 21, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for Dan Ndoye in a 0-0 draw against SSC Napoli.
Bologna was reportedly close to making his transfer permanent from Milan, but the change in management, with Vincenzo Italiano replacing Thiago Motta, led to the club declining the option to buy, as the new manager prioritized other transfer targets. Despite being considered for a summer transfer due to an abundance of attacking players at Milan, Saelemaekers returned to the club's training camp in July. He participated in all pre-season friendlies and was a surprise starter as a left back for Milan's opening 2024-25 Serie A game against Torino, filling in for Theo Hernandez. He later moved to the right side of the defense after Hernandez entered the game.
3.3.2. AS Roma
On August 30, 2024, Saelemaekers joined fellow Serie A club Roma on a loan deal for the 2024-25 season.
4. International Career
Alexis Saelemaekers has represented Belgium at various youth levels before making his debut for the senior national team. He was called up to the Belgium national team's youth squads starting in 2017. He made his senior international debut for Belgium on October 8, 2020, in a 1-1 friendly draw against the Ivory Coast. On September 5, 2021, he scored his first international goal for Belgium in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against the Czech Republic, helping his team secure a 3-0 victory.
5. Playing Style and Position
Alexis Saelemaekers is a versatile professional footballer known for his ability to play in several positions across the field. While primarily utilized as a winger, he can also effectively operate as a full-back or wing-back. His right-footedness allows him to play naturally on the right wing, but he has also demonstrated capability on the left side, particularly when deployed as an "inverted" winger. His attributes include his adaptability, contributing to both offensive and defensive phases of play.
6. Career Statistics
Alexis Saelemaekers' career statistics reflect his progression and contributions across various clubs and for the Belgian national team.
6.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Anderlecht | 2017-18 | Belgian Pro League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 11 | 0 | |
| 2018-19 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 34 | 0 | |||
| 2019-20 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 19 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 57 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 64 | 2 | |||
| AC Milan (loan) | 2019-20 | Serie A | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 15 | 1 | ||
| AC Milan | 2020-21 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | - | 40 | 3 | ||
| 2021-22 | 36 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | - | 46 | 2 | |||
| 2022-23 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 4 | ||
| 2024-25 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 112 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 10 | ||
| Bologna (loan) | 2023-24 | Serie A | 30 | 4 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 4 | ||
| Roma (loan) | 2024-25 | Serie A | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 21 | 5 | |
| Career total | 213 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 258 | 21 | ||
6.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 12 | 1 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | September 5, 2021 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | Czech Republic | 3-0 | 3-0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
7. Honours
Alexis Saelemaekers has accumulated notable team and individual honours throughout his professional career, particularly during his time in Italy.
7.1. Club
AC Milan
- Serie A: 2021-22
7.2. Individual
- Serie A Goal of the Month: April 2023