Ruben Loftus-Cheek, an AC Milan midfielder, sustained a serious facial injury during a Serie A match against Parma on Sunday. The incident occurred when Loftus-Cheek collided with Parma's goalkeeper, Edoardo Corvi, in an aerial challenge. Both players received medical attention on the field, and Loftus-Cheek was transported to the hospital with a neck brace for further evaluation. While he avoided a concussion, he suffered multiple dental fractures and a broken jaw, necessitating surgery.

Milan announced on Monday that Loftus-Cheek's injury could lead to a significant recovery time of several months, potentially jeopardizing his inclusion in the England national team for the upcoming World Cup. This unfortunate event marks a critical setback for the player and the team, which is currently second in the Serie A standings with 54 points after their first league loss in 24 matches against Parma, losing the match 1-0.

The defeat has increased the gap between AC Milan and their city rivals Inter Milan, who currently lead the league table by 10 points after their victory against Lecce. As Milan grapples with this injury setback, they not only face the challenge of maintaining their competitive edge in the league but also the prospect of dealing without one of their key players during a crucial phase of the season.