Christian Pulisic has become one of AC Milan’s most decisive players and the current great reference for the USMNT. However, the Rossoneri came very close to adding another US international to their ranks a few years ago. It was Antonee Robinson, now a key player for Fulham, whose move to Milan fell through for medical reasons.
Robinson, 28, recently explained the reasons that prevented him from joining the Italian giants during an interview with former England goalkeeper Ben Foster, in which he recalled one of the most delicate moments of his professional career.
The medical examination that changed Robinson’s destiny
In 2020, while playing for Wigan Athletic, Robinson came very close to becoming a new AC Milan player. However, the deal fell through after he failed a medical in Italy, something that generated speculation for years.
“Every time I was on TV, the interview was something like: ‘Yes, he failed the medical in Milan’,” Robinson recalled. The left-back explained that the reason was a heart anomaly detected during the examinations.
I had an anomaly in my heart, my beats were insufficient and occurred frequently
“I basically had an anomaly in my heart. I had ectopic beats, which are inefficient beats, and I had too many of them too often,” explained the US international.
According to the doctors, between 3 and 5 percent of this type of heartbeat is considered normal in a high-performance athlete, but in his case the record was around 15 percent, which set off alarm bells among the Milan medical team.
Serie A to tighten medical checks
Robinson also pointed out that medical regulations in Italy are stricter than in other European countries. “It’s something that might not show up on an electrocardiogram if you have the medical examination in England, but then you go to Italy and they are very strict with that aspect,” he explained.
Finally, the defender opted to continue his career in England and signed for Fulham, where he has established himself as one of the most complete full-backs in the Premier League and a key player for both his club and the USMNT.
Robinson’s present with Fulham
In the current season, Antonee Robinson has had some physical problems that have limited his participation to 13 games between the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, in which he provided one assist.
However, his previous performance supports his importance: in the 2024/25 season, he played 38 games and registered 10 assists, outstanding numbers for a left-back and confirming his offensive weight in the Fulham scheme
Years later, Robinson is still proving that the setback with AC Milan did not stop his growth, but rather marked the beginning of a solid career in English football.
Read the full article here
