Ismael Ezzalzouli has asked Morocco’s coaching staff not to call him up for national duty as he continues recovering from a medial collateral ligament sprain suffered during a friendly against Norway.
The issue stems from a moderate sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, sustained during a friendly between Morocco and Norway in New Jersey ahead of the 2026 World Cup. That injury ruled him out of the tournament entirely, forcing his removal from Morocco’s squad shortly before the opener against Brazil. Months later, the discomfort has persisted. Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini has repeatedly described the injury as “complicated,” noting that Ezzalzouli remains short of full match fitness. Regarded as a rising star of Moroccan football, Ezzalzouli’s fitness has become a closely watched storyline both domestically and internationally.
Following his withdrawal from the World Cup camp, Ezzalzouli underwent initial intensive rehabilitation at a specialized sports injury center in France before continuing his recovery in Seville under the direct supervision of Real Betis medical staff. His rehabilitation has followed a structured progression, moving from independent rehab work to medical testing, controlled workloads, partial group sessions, and eventually full training. Club officials have stressed the importance of avoiding any setback so close to the start of the 2026-27 season, prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term availability.
Real Betis regards Ezzalzouli as one of its most important attacking players, a status that has reinforced the club’s cautious approach to his return. He missed the preseason friendly against Arsenal in Dublin and the Champions League opener against Lille, both attributed to his incomplete recovery. Pellegrini and the technical staff are counting on him being fully fit for upcoming league and European fixtures, viewing his physical restoration as the top priority before reintegrating him into tactical plans.
Reported interest from Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, has added further incentive for careful management of his condition. For now, his recovery timeline remains dictated by medical staff, with his absence from international duty reflecting a broader effort to protect both his health and his value heading into a demanding season.
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