Ayoub El Kaabi fractured his tibia in a collision with Volos goalkeeper Marios Siampanis, undergoing successful surgery in Athens the next day, with recovery expected to take six to seven months and rule the Moroccan striker out for much of the 2026-27 season.
The injury occurred just before half-time following a collision with Volos goalkeeper Marios Siampanis, whose body trapped El Kaabi’s leg during the challenge, with the resulting twist causing a clean fracture. He was stretchered off, treated by medical staff on the pitch, and taken by ambulance to a clinic in Athens for assessment.
Descriptions of the incident circulating afterward were said to be distressing, prompting concern within Olympiacos and across Moroccan football circles.
Surgery took place the day after the match, overseen by Olympiacos’ medical director, Dr. Christos Theos, at a clinic affiliated with the Athens Medical Center. The operation involved fixation of the tibia and, according to some reports, the fibula as well. Club and medical sources described the procedure as successful, with no immediate post-operative complications and El Kaabi’s condition reported as stable.
A gradual rehabilitation programme has already begun, focused on restoring mobility, strength, and stability in the leg. Further medical evaluations are expected to clarify the timeline for stages such as running, ball work, and full team training.
Multiple sources place his absence at six to seven months, reflecting the fracture’s severity, the fixation method used, and typical recovery periods for tibia injuries, which tend to run longer than muscle or ligament damage. That timeline would keep him out for a significant part of Olympiacos’ 2026–27 season, including key domestic and European fixtures. Sources stress the estimate remains indicative, with the exact recovery depending on individual healing and rehabilitation progress, and any delays in bone consolidation could extend it further.
The injury leaves Olympiacos without their starting striker and a key attacking figure, with an expected drop in offensive output in upcoming Super League matches. This setback is a significant blow given his rise as a Moroccan football star and his importance to the national team’s attacking ambitions.
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