Marseille concerned over Nayef Aguerd injury setback while on international duty | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille are increasingly worried about Nayef Aguerd’s pubalgia, which has worsened over the past two weeks, according to La Provence. The 29-year-old defender broke down during OM’s 3–0 win over Brest after pushing through the pain for several matches. Though the issue sidelined him against Auxerre, he still featured against Atalanta and Brest while “gritting his teeth”.

Despite OM’s concerns, Aguerd has joined up with Morocco for the November international break. The Atlas Lions’ staff have called up an additional defender as a precaution, while Roberto De Zerbi and sporting director Medhi Benatia have already expressed their worries about the situation.“Nayef has been dealing with increasingly severe chronic pain. He wasn’t able to finish the match today, and it’s a shame because he’s really suffering. We tried to manage him, but at Auxerre he didn’t feel right. The coach didn’t want to take any risks, as always,” said Marseille director of football Medhi Benatia in a mixed zone attended by Get French Football News after OM’s win over Brest (3-0).“Maybe this period is the right time for him to breathe a little. We’ll speak with the medical staff and the Federation to find the best solution. His health comes before anything else.”

Morocco, who will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (21 December – 18 January), plan to manage Aguerd carefully. He will undergo specific treatment at the Mohammed VI Complex before the team heads to Tangier for friendlies against Mozambique and Uganda.

OM, however, would prefer complete rest, given Aguerd’s recent physical fragility and his importance since arriving late in the summer window. The club also reportedly wishes to avoid any club-versus-country tensions, reminiscent of September’s dispute between PSG and the French national team over Ousmane Dembélé.GFFN | George Boxall