Hakimi makes early visit to Ounahi following successful surgery

Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has undergone successful surgery on his right biceps femoris tendon and is expected to miss several months.

The Panathinaikos player required the operation to repair the tendon in his right leg, the Greek club confirmed in a statement posted on its social media accounts.

However, it was the identity of Ounahi’s first visitor after the procedure that attracted particular attention, according to Foot Mercato.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi personally visited his international team-mate to check on his condition and offer support during what is expected to be a difficult period for the midfielder.

Panathinaikos said: “Ounahi underwent successful surgery today to repair the biceps femoris tendon in his right leg, and his first visitor was a person of equally high standing, Achraf Hakimi.”

The club also provided details of the medical team involved in the operation. Panathinaikos doctor Harris Lalous was joined by orthopaedic surgeon Nicolas Lefevre and Christophe Baudot, the Morocco national team doctor and medical adviser at Paris Saint-Germain.

Ounahi will now begin a lengthy rehabilitation programme before he can return to competitive football.

During that recovery, the 25-year-old will be able to rely on support from those close to him and from his Morocco team-mates, with Hakimi among those offering encouragement.

The operation comes as Ounahi faces a prolonged spell away from the game, although Panathinaikos described the procedure itself as successful.