Ayoub El Kaabi faces major lay-off after Olympiacos leg operation

Ayoub El Kaabi is expected to miss between six and seven months after undergoing successful surgery for a fracture to his left leg, dealing Olympiacos a major setback early in the Greek league season.

The Morocco international was injured during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Volos in the third round of the Greek top flight. The incident happened shortly before half-time, in the 43rd minute, as El Kaabi raced to reach the ball before the Volos goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper came off his line at speed and challenged for the ball, with the collision leaving El Kaabi in severe pain. His reaction caused alarm among players and spectators inside the stadium, and medical staff quickly came on to treat him.

The Olympiacos striker was then taken away in an ambulance because of the seriousness of the injury.

Greek website Sportal reported: “The Morocco international striker suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula in his left leg shortly before half-time in the Olympiacos-Volos match (1-1) in the third round of the top division.”

El Kaabi underwent the operation 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 website ProtoThema said the forward is expected to be out of competitive sport for between six and seven months. However, it also stressed that the exact length of his absence will depend largely on how his body responds to treatment and rehabilitation.

That timescale would rule El Kaabi out for a substantial part of the season and leaves Olympiacos facing the task of managing his return carefully after a serious fracture.

According to Greek outlet Sport24, Olympiacos confirmed in an official statement that the surgery had been completed smoothly by the club’s lead doctor, Christos Theos, and his team at the P. Falerou clinic at the Athens Medical Center.

The club said: “The post-operative period is progressing according to the plan. In addition, the red-and-white team announced that the rehabilitation period begins today, with the aim of El Kaabi’s gradual, safe and complete return to competitive activity.”

El Kaabi’s injury occurred in a match that ended level at 1-1, with the forward forced off before the interval. The nature of the damage was confirmed after medical examinations, with fractures affecting both the tibia and fibula of his left leg.

The reports did not provide a more precise date for his return. Instead, Olympiacos’ initial focus is on the start of rehabilitation and ensuring the striker makes a gradual recovery.

The incident also prompted an apology from the Volos goalkeeper, while the injury has generated further discussion in Greek football because of the force of the collision. El Kaabi was removed from the field quickly after receiving treatment, before later undergoing the operation in Athens.

For now, the striker faces a lengthy period away from competitive football, with his recovery progress set to determine when he can begin working towards a return to the Olympiacos team.