Crystal Palace’s Chadi Riad faces anxious wait after suffering fresh knee injury

Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad was carried off in tears during his side’s 2-0 defeat by Everton on the opening weekend of the English league season, raising fears of another serious knee injury.

The Morocco international, 23, started at Everton on Saturday but could not complete his first appearance of the campaign. He was forced off on a stretcher in the 72nd minute after being hurt while attempting to defend against his opponent.

Riad appeared to be suffering significant pain in his knee, an area that has already caused him serious problems over the past 18 months. He was sidelined from August 2024 until January 2026, a period that also meant he missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which was held in Morocco.

The extent of the latest injury will not be known until he has undergone further medical examinations. However, there is already considerable concern among supporters that the incident could represent another setback and potentially bring a premature end to his season.

Riad had worked his way back to regular football and regained enough rhythm and consistency to earn a return to the Morocco squad in March 2026. His recall came as the Atlas Lions prepared for the 2026 World Cup.

He started Morocco’s first four matches, although he ended the competition carrying another physical problem. The latest incident will therefore be particularly worrying for the player, his club and the Moroccan national team, given the long-running difficulties he has experienced with his knee.

The defender’s return to Crystal Palace’s starting line-up had been viewed as an important step in his recovery and his efforts to establish continuity. Instead, his season began with a painful departure at Goodison Park as Palace suffered defeat without scoring.

Medical assessments will determine whether the injury is a recurrence of his previous knee problem or a different issue. Until those results are available, the extent of the damage remains uncertain, while Morocco supporters wait anxiously for news of a player who had only recently fought his way back into international contention.

Riad has won 10 caps for Morocco and scored one goal. His recent return to the national team had placed him in the plans for the country’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, making Saturday’s injury a concern beyond Crystal Palace’s domestic campaign.

For now, the immediate focus is on the examinations that will establish the seriousness of the damage. The emotional nature of his departure, following a challenge while trying to protect his goal, has led to fears that the knee problem could once again keep him away from football for a significant period.