Al-Ittihad Saudi Club officially announced the nature of the injury sustained by their international striker, Saleh Al-Shehri, confirming that the player is suffering from a right calf muscle injury. This announcement represents another blow to the team's attack, which is striving to improve its results during the remainder of the current season.
Injury details and rehabilitation program
According to the official statement released by the club on Sunday, thorough medical examinations revealed that Al-Shehri has a muscle injury requiring an intensive treatment and rehabilitation program. The player has already begun the initial stages of treatment under the supervision of the club's medical staff, but no precise timeframe has been set for his return to the pitch. This has raised concerns among Al-Ittihad fans regarding his readiness for the remaining crucial matches of the season.
General context and the impact of absence on the union
Al-Shehri's absence comes at a critical time for Al-Ittihad, who are striving to improve their position in the Saudi Professional League and compete in other tournaments. Al-Shehri, who joined Al-Ittihad from Al-Hilal, is considered a key attacking option for the coach, especially as a prominent Saudi forward alongside international stars Karim Benzema and Abderrazak Hamdallah. This season, Al-Shehri has participated in 19 matches across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing one assist in 514 minutes of play, highlighting his role as an influential substitute capable of changing the course of a game when needed.
The player's career and his importance to the Saudi national team
Saleh Al-Shehri (30 years old) is considered one of the most prominent Saudi strikers in recent years. He began his professional career in Portugal before returning to the Saudi League and shining brightly with Al-Raed. He then moved to Al-Hilal, where he won numerous domestic and continental titles, most notably the AFC Champions League. Al-Shehri is also a key player for the Saudi national team, "Al-Akhdar" (The Green), having scored crucial goals in World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. He is known for his ability to finish attacks inside the penalty area. Therefore, his injury not only affects his current club but could also be a cause for concern for the national team's coaching staff as upcoming international matches approach.
Offensive challenges await Al-Ittihad
With Al-Shehri's injury, Al-Ittihad's coaching staff will have to reshuffle their attacking options and rely more heavily on the available choices. This absence increases the pressure on the other strikers to perform at their best in upcoming matches to fill the void he will leave, ensuring the team's continued success and a strong return to contention for the top spots in the league.
