Corinthians extend Zakaria Labyad contract despite serious knee injury

Corinthians have extended Morocco international Zakaria Labyad’s contract until December 2027, despite the midfielder suffering a serious knee injury in July.

Labyad joined the Brazilian club at the beginning of 2026 and has made 18 appearances, scoring twice.

The 33-year-old sustained a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and an injury to the meniscus in his left knee. Despite the setback, Corinthians have agreed to continue their relationship with the player for a further period.

Labyad can operate as an attacking midfielder or winger. Before moving to Brazil, he played for Eindhoven, Ajax and Utrecht in the Netherlands, as well as Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

He has also represented Morocco nine times at international level.

The former Netherlands-based player is part of a Corinthians squad that includes several high-profile names. Among his team-mates are former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista, former Al Hilal midfielder Andre Carrillo, former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard and Memphis Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer.

Labyad’s new agreement keeps him at Corinthians through December 2027, extending a spell that began at the start of the 2026 season.