Divock Origi's career is a story of highs and lows, with moments of glory followed by long periods of obscurity. The Belgian forward first captured the world’s attention during the 2014 World Cup, where he was tipped as the successor to Romelu Lukaku. However, despite early promise, he never quite reached the heights many expected of him.

His defining moment came during his time at Liverpool, where, despite limited playing time, he became an unlikely hero. Origi, signed from Lille for €12 million (approximately $12.8 million) in 2014, was not a regular starter, but when called upon, he delivered. In the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino unavailable, Origi scored two crucial goals in Liverpool’s historic 4-0 comeback. The Belgian then went on to seal the 2-0 win in the final against Tottenham, a moment that etched his name into Liverpool's history.

Despite these key contributions, Origi's playing time at Liverpool was sporadic, and his role at the club gradually diminished. After spending the 2022-23 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, he seemed to disappear from the spotlight. Although still officially part of AC Milan, Origi's time with the 'Rossoneri' has been marked by neglect. His last appearance for the team came on June 4, 2023, over a year ago, in a 3-1 win against Hellas Verona.

An Abandoned Project at Milan

Origi's situation at Milan has taken a dramatic turn. Despite being under contract with the club until 2026, the 29-year-old finds himself relegated to the club’s B team. Milan’s management has made it clear that he is not part of the first-team plans. In fact, Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed in July that both Origi and Ballo-Touré were training with the reserve squad, not the first team. While Ballo-Touré has played for the 'B' team, Origi has been left out altogether. He doesn’t even train with the Milan reserves—his sessions are completely solitary, with the Belgian working with a personal trainer.

This isolation extends beyond the pitch. Despite his lack of involvement, Origi remains in Italy, primarily due to fiscal reasons. To take full advantage of Italy's growth decree, which offers tax benefits to foreign workers, he must remain in the country for at least half the year. This has kept him in Milan, but his future remains uncertain. Milan reportedly has no plans to utilize him, and the club is unlikely to terminate his contract given his substantial $4.3 million annual salary ($350,000 per month).

A Poor Return on a Lucrative Deal

For all of the money Milan has invested in Origi, his output has been underwhelming. In his time at Milan, he has accumulated just two goals and one assist in 36 appearances, totaling only 1,187 minutes. This underperformance has made his contract look increasingly questionable.

With his contract running until 2026, it’s unclear if Milan will try to sell Origi, or if the Belgian will decide to leave on his own terms. However, considering his massive salary and the lack of opportunities, it’s hard to see how he will feature in the club's future plans. Unless there is a drastic change in his situation, Origi's time at Milan may soon be remembered as little more than an expensive mistake.