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Morocco international Ez Abde has returned to group training with Real Betis as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury that kept him out for more than three months.
The winger joined his teammates in Wednesday’s session after spending the summer working alone on individual drills to regain fitness. Abde had been sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained in the Conference League final against Chelsea, missing the entire pre-season and the start of the La Liga campaign.
The 22-year-old is not expected to feature against Levante this weekend. Betis travel to Valencia on Sunday, September 14, but Manuel Pellegrini will have to wait a little longer before he can call on the winger.
Club sources say Abde still needs “at least a couple of weeks” to complete his rehabilitation. His earliest possible return could be in one of Betis’ three consecutive home games at La Cartuja later this month.
That run starts with Real Sociedad on Friday, September 19, followed by Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on Wednesday, September 24, and Osasuna on Sunday, September 28.
Eyeing a late September comeback
After the Osasuna match, Betis face a demanding schedule — away to Ludogorets in the Europa League on October 2 before visiting Espanyol on October 5. La Liga then pauses for the international break, resuming on October 19 when Betis play Villarreal.
The hope is that Abde can return before that break, provided his ankle responds well to increased training loads.
Important season ahead
Abde’s comeback is seen as vital for Pellegrini’s side, who are juggling domestic ambitions with European commitments. The Moroccan, who joined Betis from Barcelona in the summer of 2023 for €7.5 million to acquire 50% of his rights, is highly rated for his pace and ability to take on defenders.
His absence has been felt in the early stages of the campaign, with Betis relying heavily on Nabil Fekir and Ayoze Pérez for creativity. A fit Abde would add more depth and attacking threat to Pellegrini’s options.
For now, Betis will be cautious. Having rushed players back from injury in the past, the coaching staff want to ensure Abde is fully ready before throwing him into competitive action.
Betis fans will hope to see the Moroccan back in green and white by the end of September, bringing his flair and direct style back to the flanks.
