Injury Shock Hits Jordan and Al Ahly as Yazan Al-Naimat Heads for Urgent Surgery
13 December 2025
Injury shocks Jordan and Al Ahly as Yazan Al-Naimat faces urgent surgery
Yazan Al-Naimat, the Jordan national team forward, sustained a serious knee injury during the quarterfinal clash with Iraq in the 2025 Arab Cup, currently held in Qatar.
Al-Naimat collapsed after attempting a dribble inside the Iraq penalty area, crying out in pain and being carried off the field as teammates and staff looked on.
The Jordan Football Association later announced that medical tests and X-rays confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Urgent surgery within 48 hours
Sports surgeon Dr. Bassam Al-Harahsha explained that the injury requires immediate surgical repair within 48 hours, given the importance of early intervention for ACL tears.
He told the Jordanian daily Al-Rai that the operation involves ACL reconstruction, followed by a gradual rehabilitation plan: weeks 1–2 moving the knee without weights; weeks 3–6 strengthening the muscles without resistance, with stationary cycling allowed after three weeks.
Weeks 7 through three months would see a gradual return to running and jumping, with a knee brace, and the final phase would allow full training again without playing in matches, to assess the player's endurance and readiness.
The estimated full recovery ranges from six to twelve months, with a chance to rejoin the national team for the World Cup depending on the success of the operation and the quality of rehabilitation. The graft could be autograft or from hamstrings, with a preference for the latter to ensure better integration and function.
Impact on the transfer to Al Ahly
The injury also raises questions about the proposed January move of the Al-Arabi (Qatar) striker to Al Ahly of Egypt to strengthen the Red Devils' attack; the deal could be affected by the layoff.
During the talk show "El Nazer," Egyptian pundit Ahmed Shobier commented: "With Yazan's ACL injury, there is some disruption inside Al Ahly. The club had already closed all agreements, but a nine-month absence raises questions about completing the deal next season, God only knows."
Punchline 1: If ACLs could file for refunds, this one would demand a full season’s salary back as a consolation prize.
Punchline 2: On the bright side, when he finally returns, the knee will have more stories than a transfer window rumor mill—now that’s a comeback worth watching.
