Chadi Riad’s season came to an abrupt halt at Goodison Park, where the Crystal Palace defender was stretchered off during a 2-0 defeat to Everton on 22 August 2026. The injury occurred late in the second half, around the 70th minute, following a non-contact incident involving his knee. Medical scans later confirmed the worst-case outcome: a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that will require surgery and an extended period away from competitive football.
Chadi Riad was stretchered off at Goodison Park as Crystal Palace fell 2-0 to Everton, later confirmed as a ruptured ACL.
The diagnosis means Riad faces a lengthy rehabilitation process, with expectations that he will miss the majority of the 2026-27 campaign. Typical recovery timelines for ACL reconstruction range from eight to twelve months, which suggests any potential return could come near the end of this season or stretch into pre-season preparations for the next. While no exact return date has been confirmed, reports consistently describe the absence as covering a major part of the season rather than a short-term setback.
This is not the first time Riad has faced this exact injury. Earlier in his Crystal Palace career, he suffered a previous ACL rupture that kept him out for 69 matches following his move from Barcelona. Combined with other knee issues, including a suspected ligament problem during an EFL Cup tie against Norwich in August 2024, Riad has now missed more than 400 days through knee-related injuries during his time at the club. That earlier scare in 2024 was described by the club as inconclusive at the time, with medical staff monitoring his ACL closely in the weeks that followed. Before his injury troubles, Riad had established himself as one of the rising stars of Morocco’s defense, forming part of the Atlas Lions setup that has drawn praise for its depth in young talent, a group that also includes defenders like Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal.
The recurring nature of these injuries raises legitimate questions about long-term durability, even as Riad remains a talented defender when fit. Surgery will follow standard protocol, with phased rehabilitation focused on restoring range of motion, rebuilding strength, and gradually reintroducing football-specific movement. Medical staff will monitor graft healing and knee stability before clearing him for full training.
For Crystal Palace, his absence removes a squad option from defensive planning for most of the campaign. For Riad personally, the setback represents another significant hurdle in a career already shaped by ligament trouble, with his recovery timeline now expected to define much of his 2026-27 season.
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