Lyon’s Rachid Ghezzal Faces Brief Spell on Sidelines After Injury Scare
Lyon – Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Rachid Ghezzal has been handed a positive injury update following a scare during a pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven.
Initially feared to be out for up to two months after limping off during Wednesday’s match, the 23-year-old will instead miss just 10 to 15 days, the club confirmed.
Ghezzal sustained an ankle injury during the encounter, prompting concerns that he may have suffered serious damage. However, head coach Hubert Fournier offered reassuring news on Thursday, clarifying that the injury is far less severe than originally feared.
“We’re reassured,” Fournier told reporters. “It’s not the Achilles tendon, but rather a muscle adjacent to it. While it is still a tear, it’s not as serious as we initially thought. We need to remain cautious, but we’re far from the two-month layoff we had feared. He should be sidelined for around ten to fifteen days.”
The news will come as a relief to Lyon supporters, who are hopeful for a strong campaign following their second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
Ghezzal, a product of Lyon’s youth academy, made 18 appearances in Ligue 1 during the 2014–2015 season, scoring two goals. Although not a guaranteed starter, he has been a reliable squad player and is expected to play a key role in the club’s domestic and European ambitions this year.
His brief absence will be closely managed by the medical team, with Lyon keen to avoid aggravating the injury ahead of the new season’s kickoff.
