Youssef En-Nesyri rested by Al Ittihad in Spain friendlies due to fatigue amid exit speculation

Youssef En-Nesyri missed Al Ittihad’s final two pre-season friendlies in Spain after head coach Jens Wissing decided to rest the Morocco striker because of fatigue, according to reports in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Pro League side rounded off their training camp in Marbella on Thursday with two matches, losing 4-2 to Real Mallorca before drawing 2-2 with Malaga, but En-Nesyri played no part in either game.

The forward had started both of Al Ittihad’s previous friendlies on the tour, against Orlando Pirates of South Africa and Spanish club Las Palmas, making his omission from the Real Mallorca and Malaga fixtures notable.

Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah reported that Wissing chose to leave En-Nesyri out of the double-header after the player showed signs of physical fatigue, stressing that the decision was not linked to any tactical or disciplinary issue.

Squad rotation in Marbella

En-Nesyri was not the only Al Ittihad player to sit out both matches because of tiredness.

Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Farhat Al-Shamrani and Marwan Al-Sahafi were also left out of the Real Mallorca and Malaga friendlies for the same reason, as Wissing managed workloads at the end of an intensive overseas camp.

The matches against Real Mallorca and Malaga were Al Ittihad’s last warm-up games before the new season, with the squad using the Marbella base to tune up under their German coach.

En-Nesyri had earlier contributed a goal in the 3-2 victory over Orlando Pirates but did not score in the subsequent 2-1 win against Las Palmas.

Uncertain future

The enforced rest for En-Nesyri comes at a time when his future at Al Ittihad is the subject of growing speculation.

The 27-year-old has been linked in local reports with a possible departure from the Jeddah club, with some Moroccan sides said to be interested in signing him.

Arriyadiyah also reported that Wissing is not fully convinced by En-Nesyri’s qualities, adding another layer of uncertainty over the striker’s long-term role at the club.

However, the reason given for his absence from the final two friendlies was strictly physical fatigue, with no indication in the report that negotiations or transfer talks were behind his omission.

Pre-season context

Al Ittihad’s schedule in Marbella saw them face a mix of African and European opposition as they prepared for the new campaign.

En-Nesyri started and scored in the 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates, showcasing his attacking threat, but did not find the net in the 2-1 victory against Las Palmas.

By the time the Real Mallorca and Malaga fixtures were played, Wissing opted to protect several players showing signs of strain, among them En-Nesyri, as the club look to begin the season with a fully fit squad.

No official statement has been issued by Al Ittihad regarding the striker’s future, and En-Nesyri remains part of the squad as they return from Spain to complete their preparations.