Simakan sidelined: Al Nassr brace for defense as hamstring injury shelves key stopper

Simakan sidelined with hamstring injury; four-day rest advised

Saudi outlets reported today that French defender Mohammed Simakan will miss key forthcoming fixtures for Al Nassr after suffering a left hamstring strain in the latest Clasico against Al Ittihad.

Al Nassr were knocked out of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup at the quarterfinal stage after a 1-2 defeat to Al Ittihad on Tuesday at Al Nassr Park.

Simakan started at center-back beside Spaniard Inigo Martinez before having to depart at the start of the second half, with Abdulrahman Al-Omari entering in his place.

The club’s physician Carlos Miguel recommended four days of rest from training due to the muscle strain, followed by a phased return to training.

During this period, Simakan will undertake a therapeutic and rehabilitation program, with a medical test at the end to confirm he is fully back to match fitness.

He will miss two upcoming matches: the clash with Al-Fayha at Al Nassr Park, and the AFC Champions League 2 group-stage tie against Goa FC on the same venue.

Head coach Jorge Jesus hopes the French defender will be ready to play when Al Nassr visit Neom next Saturday, in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League, at King Khalid Stadium, if the treatment goes as planned.

Absence will be significant

The absence of Simakan is expected to hit the defense where he has been a mainstay alongside Inigo Martinez, given his pace and ability to press higher up the pitch.

Since the start of the season, the 25-year-old has featured 12 times in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing a solid presence in central defence.

Simakan's speed allows Jesus to press opponents aggressively and maintain compactness in midfield, and his distribution helps starting attacks from the back.

Arriving from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2024 for around €35 million, Simakan has since played 51 times for Al Nassr, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

Replacement options

In Simakan’s absence, Abdulrahman Al-Omari is expected to step in as the preferred central defender, with Jesus leaning on him in upcoming fixtures, including the ACL 2 ties and domestic league games against Al Fayha.

Al-Omari has appeared eight times for Al Nassr this season, without a goal or assist, but his experience makes him a natural fit to slot into the defence alongside Martinez.

Other injuries at Al Nassr

The club confirmed that several teammates—left-back Saad Al-Nasser, midfielder Abdul Malik Al-Gaber and forward Saad Haqwi—are currently undergoing rehabilitation after injuries sustained in recent weeks.

Al-Nasser sustained a ligament injury to the right ankle in a Septembers’ friendly against Esteghlal Dushanbe, and is undergoing rehabilitation in the club’s medical facility.

However, Al-Nasser picked up another minor issue during a friendly against Diriyah earlier in October after briefly resuming training, forcing another setback for the left-back.

Al-Gaber, who joined from Zeljeznezar for over €1.5 million, suffered a knee cartilage injury in a pre-season training camp in Austria and required surgery, keeping him out for three months; the club hopes he will be back later in the campaign to help the squad in midfield.

Meanwhile young forward Saad Haqoui picked up an injury while representing Saudi Arabia’s U20 team at the World Cup in Chile; he played against Colombia and the side bowed out in the group stage. The medical staff expect him to be sidelined until the end of the month, ruling him out of league matches and ACL 2 group-stage ties, with a possible extension if his recovery stalls.

Fans remain hopeful that Simakan returns promptly to bolster a squad chasing domestic and continental glory in the 2025-26 season.

Bottom line: Al Nassr must cope without Simakan in the short term, relying on Al-Omari and the backline to stay solid as they chase league and ACL success.

As for the rest of the squad, the medical staff will monitor the return timeline closely, hoping to avoid a crowded treatment room as the season progresses.

Punchline 1: If football is life, Simakan’s hamstring is the part-time job that tried to unionize with gravity.

Punchline 2: Don’t worry, Al Nassr fans—Jesus’s tactical genius is so sharp, he can defend with a coffee in one hand and a whistle in the other. Multitasking level: expert.