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Rabat – Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd faced strong criticism following Olympique de Marseille’s 2–0 loss to Stade Brestois on Friday in Ligue 1.
The game was effectively decided by Ludovic Ajorque, who bullied the defense with two headers in the first half hour. In the aftermath, the French press didn’t hold back on Marseille’s center-backs, Aguerd and Benjamin Pavard, who were slammed for being completely outmatched by Brest’s aerial game.
Regional outlet La Provence labeled Aguerd’s performance “calamitous,” awarding him a harsh 1.5/10 rating. Analysts tore into the pair for constant positioning errors, losing almost every one-on-one duel, and looking completely lost whenever a cross flew into the box.
But the criticism went deeper than just bad tactics – it reignited the debate over whether Nayef Aguerd is even physically fit to be on the pitch. Having just come back from an adductor injury, the Moroccan international looked a step behind all night. Observers pointed out he’s missing that usual explosiveness and reacting too slowly in the air, two things you absolutely can’t lack when you’re the central defender tasked with organizing the back line.
Recent injury struggles
Aguerd’s recent struggles at Marseille are largely attributed to a season plagued by recurring physical injuries, specifically a chronic groin condition (pubalgia). This injury first significantly worsened in November 2025, forcing him to miss several matches and requiring careful management by both OM and the Moroccan national team medical staffs.
Just weeks before the Brest match, on February 3, Aguerd was sidelined for a Coupe de France match against Rennes due to an adductor muscle issue. He only returned to full training on February 10, shortly before the loss to Brest.
Adding to the strain, Aguerd played every minute, a total of 690, for Morocco during the 2025 AFCON, despite entering the tournament with fitness doubts. French media have suggested he looked physically exhausted, describing him as if he were “still at the AFCON.”
