Young Moroccan footballer Bilal Nadir, a promising talent for Olympique de Marseille (OM), has made his long-awaited return to the pitch after a serious knee injury sidelined him for seven months. The 20-year-old midfielder, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury in January, played in a reserve match against Lens on Thursday night, marking a significant step in his recovery.
Nadir’s injury came at an unfortunate time when he was beginning to establish himself within Marseille’s midfield, filling in for teammates away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
The Moroccan U23 international sustained the injury in a Coupe de France clash against Stade Rennais after a collision with Ivorian international Guéla Doué.
The injury ended Nadir’s season after just nine appearances with the first team, leaving the club and player facing a long road to recovery.
Following the injury, Nadir was stretchered off and underwent surgery, which began a grueling seven-month rehabilitation process.
Despite his lengthy absence, OM demonstrated their faith in the young midfielder by extending his contract until 2026, a testament to his potential and the club’s long-term plans for him.
His return to competitive football was confirmed when he made an appearance with OM’s reserve side in a friendly match against Lens.
Though he is not yet fully fit to rejoin the professional squad, his presence on the pitch signals the end of his recovery period and the beginning of his journey back to top form.
According to reports from Ouest-France and Le Phocéen, Nadir will continue to play with the reserves to build match fitness and regain his sharpness.
His current focus is on securing regular playing time with the reserve team before aiming for a return to OM’s first-team squad.
If his recovery remains on track and without setbacks, the midfielder is expected to reintegrate into the senior team in the coming months, with the possibility of earning a recall to the Moroccan national setup as well.
For the young player, who turns 21 in November, the priority now is to ensure a steady and measured progression, with an eye on avoiding any relapse of his injury.
His return is seen as a positive sign, both for Marseille and Moroccan football, as Nadir’s talent and potential have been highly regarded since his breakthrough into professional football.
The match against Lens marks the beginning of what both the club and player hope will be a successful comeback, as Nadir aims to reclaim his place in Marseille’s midfield and continue his development at both club and international levels.
