Maicon is expected to be out for at least a month after surgery on his right knee.Maicon is expected to be out for at least a month after surgery on his right knee. (Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Inter Milan fullback Maicon requires surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee and AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a left ankle problem, ruling both players out from the start of the Serie A season.

Inter says Maicon will head home to be operated on by Brazil national team physician Jose Luis Runco, and he'll likely be out for at least a month.

Maicon has been bothered by the injury since last season.

Inter opens the season against Lecce on Aug. 28.

Ibrahimovic was hurt during a friendly with his hometown club Malmo in Sweden on Sunday and will likely miss just one match, Milan's opener at Cagliari on Aug. 27.