Rabat – Moroccan international defender Chadi Riad is set to miss a major part of the 2026-27 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), according to British media reports.
Riad sustained the injury during Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat to Everton on August 22 in the opening round of the Premier League. The 23-year-old was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher after suffering the injury.
According to the Daily Mail, medical examinations carried out this week confirmed that Riad had suffered an ACL tear.
The injury is a major setback for the Moroccan defender, who had only recently returned to competitive football and was expected to play an important role for Crystal Palace this season.
The latest injury also marks the second ACL injury of Riad’s career. His previous knee problem kept him out of action for nearly two years, with the defender missing 69 matches across all competitions.
Riad’s absence could also affect Morocco’s plans during the upcoming international breaks. The defender was already forced to miss Morocco’s final two matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering an injury during the Atlas Lions’ round-of-16 clash against the Netherlands.
He missed Morocco’s quarter-final against Canada and their subsequent match against France.
The latest setback comes at a difficult time for Riad, who has been working to establish himself at Crystal Palace and maintain his place within Morocco’s national team setup.
With an ACL injury typically requiring a lengthy rehabilitation period, Riad is now expected to spend several months on the sidelines. His return date will depend on the severity of the injury, treatment, and rehabilitation process.
