Mohamed Abdelmonem has been diagnosed with a torn cruciate ligament following OGC Nice’s 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 31 of Ligue 1.
The Egyptian international endured a nightmare evening at the Parc des Princes. Selected in the starting lineup, Abdelmonem’s match took a devastating turn in the second half when he collapsed inside Nice’s penalty area after an apparent knee injury.
Clearly unable to continue, he was stretchered off the pitch in the 67th minute, visibly in distress as medical staff tended to him.
Concerns over the severity of the injury were quickly confirmed. OGC Nice released an official statement earlier today revealing that medical tests had diagnosed the central defender with a ruptured cruciate ligament.
The injury is expected to sideline him for several months, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
The timing of the setback could hardly be worse for both Abdelmonem and his club. With Nice pushing for a strong finish to their Ligue 1 campaign, losing a key figure in the heart of their defence presents a significant challenge.
Abdelmonem had begun to cement his place in the squad after joining the French side, with his performances marked by composure and strong positional sense.
Injury struck just as Abdelmonem appeared to be settling into life in Ligue 1, having impressed in recent appearances.
His absence leaves manager Francesco Farioli with a major gap to fill at a crucial juncture of the season, with Nice striving to secure a European spot.
For Abdelmonem, the setback represents a cruel interruption to what had been an encouraging phase in his career.
His move to France had been seen as a major step forward, offering the 26-year-old a platform to showcase his talent on one of Europe’s leading stages.
The Egyptian Football Association has yet to issue a comment regarding the injury, but it is almost certain Abdelmonem will also miss upcoming national team duties.
His road to recovery is now expected to involve surgery followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process, with experts typically estimating six to nine months for a full return from a cruciate ligament rupture.
The scenes at the Parc des Princes served as a sombre reminder of football’s physical toll. Teammates and opponents alike expressed concern as Abdelmonem was stretchered off, while supporters from both clubs offered warm applause in a show of solidarity.
Despite the overshadowing injury, Nice produced a strong performance to defeat PSG 3-1, further highlighting their resilience in a challenging season.
However, the victory was bittersweet given the heavy personal cost for Abdelmonem.
With four matches left in the Ligue 1 season, Nice will need to regroup quickly. Attention will inevitably turn to how the team adapts defensively without one of their standout performers.
For Abdelmonem, the immediate focus shifts from the football pitch to recovery, as he begins the long and demanding journey back to full fitness.
