Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained during the UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea, casting doubt over his readiness for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The Moroccan international limped off in the 54th minute of the final, which Chelsea went on to win. Initial assessments suggested the injury was not serious, and Ezzalzouli was expected to join Morocco’s training camp for friendlies against Benin and Tunisia.
However, following further evaluation, head coach Walid Regragui decided to omit the 22-year-old to allow for a full recovery and minimise the risk of aggravation.
Ezzalzouli remains a central figure in Morocco’s plans for AFCON 2025. He has 23 senior caps, with three goals and three assists, and captained the U23 side to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Betis are monitoring the situation closely. While the club had initially played down the severity of the injury, sources confirm the winger is still on crutches due to ongoing ankle pain.
