Shockingly long absence: El Kaabi undergoes successful surgery

Announcement of the terrifying injury diagnosis

Moroccan star Ayoub El Kaabi came through surgery on Sunday morning to repair a fracture in his left leg, the Olympiacos striker undergoing a successful operation.

Disaster struck on 43 minutes of Saturday's clash between Olympiacos and Volos in the third round of the Greek league. El Kaabi stretched to reach the ball ahead of the goalkeeper, who charged out and lunged with great force. The collision left the Morocco international with a horrific injury.

Writhing in severe pain, El Kaabi alarmed everyone inside the stadium. The doctors rushed on. They then moved him quickly into an ambulance, such was the critical state the player was in.

Final diagnosis: broken leg

The Greek website Sportal said: "The Moroccan international striker suffered a fracture of the (tibia and fibula) bones in his left leg, shortly before the end of the first half of the match between Olympiacos and Volos (1-1) in the third round of the top-flight league."

It continued: "The surgery was carried out in Athens by the Olympiacos doctor, Christos Theos, and his medical team, and it was completed successfully."

Ayoub El Kaabi's expected absence period

The Greek website Protothema said: "As for the duration of his absence, it is estimated that Ayoub El Kaabi will need to stay away from sporting competition for a period ranging between 6 and 7 months".

They also confirmed that "the exact length of his absence from the pitches depends largely on how his body responds to treatment and rehabilitation".

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The rehabilitation period begins today

According to the Greek website Sport24, "Olympiacos stated in an official statement that the surgery was carried out smoothly by the team's chief doctor, Christos Theos, and his team at the B. Valeros Clinic of the Athens Medical Centre."

It added: "The post-surgery period is proceeding according to the set plan. Furthermore, the red and white team reported that the rehabilitation period begins today, with the aim of El Kaabi's gradual, safe and full return to competitive activity."