English Premier League
Ayoub El Kaabi faces up to seven months out after successful surgery
Ayoub El Kaabi is expected to miss between six and seven months after undergoing successful surgery on a broken left leg, dealing a major blow to Olympiacos.
The Morocco striker was injured during Olympiacos’ 1-1 draw with Volos in the third round of the Greek league on Saturday. The incident happened in the 43rd minute, shortly before half-time, as El Kaabi raced to reach the ball ahead of the goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper came off his line at speed and challenged for the ball, making heavy contact with El Kaabi. The force of the collision left the Olympiacos forward in severe pain and caused alarm among those inside the stadium.
Medical staff quickly entered the pitch before El Kaabi was taken to an ambulance. The seriousness of the injury meant he was removed from the ground without delay.
Greek outlet Sportal reported that the Morocco international had suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula in his left leg.
“ The Moroccan international striker suffered a fracture to the bones of the tibia and fibula in his left leg, shortly before the end of the first half of the Olympiacos and Volos match (1-1) in the third round of the top flight,” the report said.
El Kaabi underwent surgery in Athens on Sunday morning. The procedure was carried out by Olympiacos doctor Christos Theos and his medical team, and was reported to have been completed successfully.
Greek publication ProtoThema said the initial estimate was that El Kaabi would be unavailable for sporting competition for six to seven months.
It added that the exact length of his absence would depend largely on how his body responds to treatment and rehabilitation.
Olympiacos later confirmed the operation in an official statement, saying it had been performed smoothly by the club’s lead doctor, Christos Theos, and his team at the P. Faliro Clinic, part of the Athens Medical Center.
The club also said El Kaabi’s post-operative recovery was progressing according to the planned schedule. His rehabilitation programme was due to begin on Sunday, with the aim of guiding him back to competitive football gradually, safely and fully.
The injury occurred in only the third round of the Greek league and leaves Olympiacos without one of its key attacking options for a significant part of the season.
El Kaabi’s absence will now be determined by his recovery from the serious fracture rather than the initial surgical procedure, with the club expected to monitor his progress throughout the rehabilitation period.