Ismael Bennacer leaves Milan after five years as Algeria midfielder shares emotional farewell

Milan have confirmed the departure of Ismael Bennacer, bringing the Algeria midfielder’s five-year spell with the Italian club to an end.

Bennacer, 28, responded with an emotional message to Milan supporters after the club formalised his exit. He had not played an official match for the Rossoneri since February 2025, following a serious knee injury suffered during the previous season.

The midfielder spent the past 18 months away from Milan on loan. He made 12 appearances for Marseille during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign before moving to Croatia, where he played 19 matches for Dinamo Zagreb last season.

Bennacer is expected to join Al-Gharafa, according to reports. The club finished fourth in the Qatar Stars League last season and is managed by Pedro Martins.

In a video posted on social media, Bennacer reflected on his time at Milan and the uncertainty surrounding his previous farewell.

“Dear Milan fans, last year I said goodbye without ever imagining that those words would become a farewell,” said Bennacer.

“For more than five years, I wore this shirt with pride and passion alongside incredible team-mates, supported by your unconditional love.”

“Winning the Scudetto in this shirt is one of the most beautiful memories of my career, and playing in front of you at San Siro was an immense honour.”

Bennacer joined Milan from Empoli in 2019 and went on to make 178 appearances for the club. His most successful season came in 2021-22, when he was part of the Milan side that won the club’s 19th Serie A title.

He played 31 matches under manager Stefano Pioli during that campaign and scored twice. The Scudetto triumph remains one of the defining achievements of his career in Italy, while his performances in midfield made him an important part of Milan’s title-winning squad.

His departure follows a prolonged period in which injury and loan moves limited his involvement with the club. After his last competitive appearance for Milan in February 2025, he continued his career away from San Siro, first with Marseille and then with Dinamo Zagreb.

Bennacer’s message marked the end of a significant chapter in his career. He thanked the supporters for their backing and highlighted the importance of representing Milan, a club for whom he made more than 170 appearances after arriving from Empoli.

The Algeria international now appears set to continue his career in Qatar with Al-Gharafa, although the reported move has not been described in further detail.