Ayoub El Kaabi Faces Long Recovery After Leg Injury

Olympiacos’s season jolted to a halt the moment Ayoub El Kaabi hit the turf.

The Moroccan international suffered a serious fracture to his left leg — both tibia and fibula — late in the first half of Olympiacos’s 1-1 draw with Volos in the third round of the Greek top flight, Greek outlet Sportal reported. The incident turned a routine league fixture into a night of concern and silence around the stadium.

Surgery successful in Athens

Olympiacos moved quickly. According to Sportal, El Kaabi underwent surgery in Athens, operated on by club doctor Christos Theos and his medical team. The procedure, carried out at the B. Valeriou clinic, part of the Athens Medical Centre, was described as successful.

Greek site Sport 24 relayed the club’s official statement, which stressed that the operation “was carried out smoothly” under the supervision of chief doctor Theos and his staff. The club outlined a clear plan: the immediate post-surgery phase is unfolding as expected, and rehabilitation has already begun.

The goal is not just to get El Kaabi back on the pitch, but to ensure a “gradual, safe and full return to competitive activity,” Olympiacos underlined.

Six to seven months out

The good news of a successful operation comes with a harsh reality for player and club.

Protothema reported that early estimates put El Kaabi’s absence at between six and seven months. That timeframe would wipe out the bulk of his season and raises questions over how quickly he can rediscover rhythm once cleared to play.

The same report pointed out that the final length of his layoff will hinge on how his body responds to treatment and the demands of a long rehabilitation. Bone healing, muscle strength, confidence in the leg — all of it will dictate whether he returns closer to the six-month mark or later.

For now, the clock has started. Olympiacos must adapt without their Moroccan striker, and El Kaabi begins the long, lonely road back, with one target in mind: hearing his name roared again as he steps out for a competitive match.