Ayoub El Kaabi fractured the tibia in his left leg during Olympiacos’ match against Volos, injured in the 43rd minute after his leg became trapped beneath goalkeeper Marios Siampanis, with reports suggesting an absence of six to seven months that would rule him out for the season and Morocco’s qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho.
The incident occurred just before half-time, around the 43rd minute, when the Moroccan striker challenged Volos goalkeeper Marios Siampanis for a through ball in the penalty area. His left leg became trapped between the goalkeeper and the pitch, causing a visible deformation of the limb. El Kaabi was carried off on a stretcher and transported by ambulance to a hospital in Volos for further examination.
Medical assessments confirmed a fracture of the tibia in his left leg, with several reports also indicating a concurrent fracture of the fibula. Television footage showed the bent and broken tibia, which specialist media described as a very serious injury. The severity of the case was underlined by the decision to operate the following day.
The surgery took place on Sunday morning in Athens, under the supervision of Olympiacos’ medical staff. According to Greek media, the procedure was carried out by the club’s doctor, Christos Theos. The operation focused on stabilizing the tibia fracture, and possibly the fibula, with the likely insertion of osteosynthesis hardware. El Kaabi has since entered the post-operative phase, which includes immobilization of the leg and a planned rehabilitation program. The club has not yet released an official timeline for his recovery.
Moroccan media outlets, including Afrik-Foot, have reported an estimated absence of six to seven months. Some reports suggest at least seven months before El Kaabi can return to team training, with a full return to competition possibly taking around a year. The injury effectively ends his current season with Olympiacos. It also rules him out of Morocco’s upcoming qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. His participation in the tournament itself, scheduled from June 19 to July 18, 2027, remains uncertain and will depend on his recovery progress. This is a significant setback for a player widely regarded as part of the rise of a Moroccan football star.
Olympiacos issued a public message of support, urging El Kaabi to “stay strong” following the injury. Numerous figures across the football world have since expressed solidarity with the striker as he begins his recovery process.
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