Youssef En-Nesyri’s much-discussed move to the Saudi Pro League has quickly turned into a personal nightmare. The Moroccan striker’s transfer from Sevilla to Al-Qadsiah, confirmed on August 20, 2024, has been marred by a severe injury that will keep him out for the majority of the season.
The trouble began almost immediately. During his very first training session with his new club, En-Nesyri suffered a serious hamstring injury. Medical examinations revealed a significant tear, requiring surgical intervention. The procedure was successfully performed in Munich, Germany, but the recovery timeline is lengthy.
Al-Qadsiah’s sporting director, Mohamed Al-Khereiji, confirmed the devastating news. “Youssef En-Nesyri has undergone surgery for a hamstring injury,” he stated. “He is expected to be sidelined for approximately seven to eight months.”
This prognosis means the 27-year-old will not play again in 2024. His focus is now entirely on rehabilitation, with a tentative return date set for March or April of 2025. The injury represents a massive blow for both the player and the club, which secured promotion to the Saudi top flight and signed En-Nesyri as a major statement of intent.
Furthermore, the long layoff jeopardizes his involvement in Morocco’s upcoming crucial World Cup qualifiers. The Atlas Lions are scheduled to face Eritrea in November 2024, with more qualifiers following in 2025 ahead of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. En-Nesyri’s absence from the national team setup is now a certainty for the foreseeable future.
What began as a high-profile new chapter in Saudi Arabia has thus descended into a frustrating and painful ordeal for the striker, who must watch from the sidelines as his new team starts its season without him.
