Al-Nassr have been dealt a major defensive blow after French defender Mohamed Simakan sustained a muscle injury during the team’s 2–1 defeat to Al-Ittihad on Tuesday evening in the Round of 16 of the King’s Cup, held at Al Awal Park in Riyadh.
The injury sparked concern within the technical staff led by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, as Simakan was forced to leave the pitch visibly in pain, adding to Al-Nassr’s disappointment after an early exit from the prestigious domestic cup.
According to reports, the French center-back will undergo detailed medical examinations and MRI scans at a specialized clinic in Riyadh to determine the extent of the injury, which is suspected to be a hamstring issue. There are growing fears he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The results of the tests are expected within the next few hours, and they will confirm the severity of the injury and the estimated recovery timeline. The club’s medical staff remain hopeful that the issue is minor, given Simakan’s key role in the defensive setup since joining the team earlier this season.
جورجي جيسوس
Al-Nassr are set to face Al-Fayha next Saturday, November 1, in Matchweek 7 of the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League) at Al Awal Park in Riyadh, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time.
Simakan has been ruled out of that fixture, forcing Jorge Jesus to consider alternative options in defense amid a congested fixture schedule that includes domestic and continental competitions.
The Riyadh giants currently top the Roshn League table with 18 points from six consecutive wins, maintaining a perfect record so far this season. Fans are now eager to see the team rebound quickly after their King’s Cup disappointment.
Al-Nassr supporters will be hoping Simakan’s injury proves to be minor, allowing the French defender to return swiftly and bolster the squad ahead of a decisive stretch of matches on both the domestic and Asian fronts.
