Barcelona’s Ezzalzouli Sidelined with Knee Injury, Jeopardizing Morocco Call-up

According to the details provided by the Catalan club, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s injury should keep him off the pitch for several weeks. He is said to be suffering from patellar tendinopathy (knee pain), according to the statement published by the club on social media.

The 20-year-old player’s injury comes a few days after his message on social media, announcing a possible choice for the Moroccan team. Summoned to participate in the 2021 CAN Cameroon, the player had declined the offer, preferring to focus on his club career.

But he had reassured the national team coach and the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation that he would be with the Atlas Lions in March for the playoffs counting for the last qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Snubbed and ousted by Barça’s first team, he had posted a photo on Instagram wearing the Moroccan jersey with the caption "Soon".