Zakaria Aboukhlal, Toulouse FC’s Moroccan forward, is scheduled to have surgery this week after suffering a severe knee injury during the Europa League game against Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels last Thursday.
Although the precise nature of his injury remains a closely kept secret, head coach Carles Martinez Novell seemed to voice a concern about its severity in a press conference. “The club, Zakaria or the doctors should explain the nature of his injury, but he must undergo surgery next week,” he said.
Aboukhlal’s imminent surgery prompts questions as to whether he will be able to play and, if so, the difficulties he will face for both Toulouse and the Moroccan National Team. It has also left supporters and the football world wondering about his future. The injury will likely also affect his participation in the next Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Toulouse FC’s Coach said that, although Aboukhlal has a “difficult injury,” he is “very important to the team,” and “has to come back much better.” He added, “We all wish him the best and that he recovers as soon as possible. . . , but we have to continue.”