Abu Shamat injury blow eased for Al Ahli Saudi as scans rule out ligament damage

Al Ahli Saudi have been handed significant relief after medical tests confirmed that defender Saleh Abu Shamat has not suffered cruciate ligament damage following an injury scare in a pre-season friendly in Portugal.

Anxiety spread through the club’s training camp when Abu Shamat went down unexpectedly during Friday’s match against Vitoria Guimaraes, prompting fears of a serious knee problem that could have ruled him out for months.

However, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Yaum, the technical staff received a major psychological boost when post-match examinations showed the player’s anterior cruciate ligament was intact.

Scan results bring positive news

Abu Shamat underwent precautionary medical checks overseen by Al Ahli’s medical team, including an MRI scan to assess the extent of the damage.

The imaging revealed that the defender had sustained only a bone contusion, with no injury to the cruciate ligament, easing concerns of a worst-case scenario.

The injury occurred during the friendly between Al Ahli and Vitoria Guimaraes as part of the Jeddah club’s overseas preparations for the new season. Abu Shamat was forced off, and the incident immediately raised alarm within the camp given the nature of the fall and its timing so close to the start of competitive action.

Defeat continues mixed pre-season form

On the pitch, the match in Portugal ended in a 3-1 defeat for Al Ahli, continuing an inconsistent run of results in their summer schedule.

The loss to Vitoria Guimaraes was Al Ahli’s second defeat in friendly matches during their external training camps before the new campaign. Earlier, the team had been beaten 4-1 by German side Holstein Kiel in Austria.

Those setbacks have been offset by one emphatic victory, with Al Ahli recording an 8-0 win over Austrian club Saalfelden in their first friendly on Austrian soil.

In addition, the Saudi side drew 2-2 with Portuguese club Rio Ave during their time in Portugal, leaving their overall pre-season record finely balanced as the coaching staff assess the squad’s readiness.

Focus returns to preparation

While the recent results underline that work remains to be done before the competitive season begins, the overriding focus within the camp shifted to Abu Shamat’s condition once he went down injured.

The confirmation that his problem is limited to a bone bruise, rather than a serious ligament tear, is seen as a crucial boost for Al Ahli’s plans, with the defender expected to avoid a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Al Ahli will continue their pre-season programme in Europe as they aim to sharpen fitness levels, refine tactics and integrate players, now reassured that one of their key names has escaped a major knee injury.