Corinthians confirm Marocain Zakaria Labyad's serious ACL injury

Zakaria Labyad, the 33‑year‑old Marocain striker for Corinthians, suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament tear during a match last week, prompting an immediate Instagram post that confirmed the injury. The injury will require a long rehabilitation period and ends his season with the Brazilian side.

He announced the injury on Instagram, posting a photo of his knee and a brief statement. In the caption he wrote, “Ces derniers jours ont été très difficiles pour moi. Ma saison est terminée, mais mon parcours continue.”

Labyad thanked his teammates, the medical and technical staff, and the club’s supporters for their messages of support. He added, “Je vous promets de travailler dur pour revenir plus fort et meilleur. Merci pour tous vos messages, votre soutien et votre amour depuis mon arrivée.”

The 33‑year‑old forward previously featured for PSV, Ajax and FC Utrecht before moving to Brazil. His experience in the Dutch Eredivisie is often highlighted when discussing his career.

Corinthians teammate Memphis Depay replied to Labyad’s post, praising his determination and talent. Depay wrote, “Depuis ton arrivée, tu as prouvé que tu étais une personne digne, déterminée et très talentueuse. Je te connais depuis longtemps et je sais que tu reviendras plus fort. Je t’aime.”

Fellow Dutch international Hakim Ziyech also reacted, leaving three heart emojis on the message. His simple gesture underscored the solidarity among the players.

The ACL tear means Labyad’s season with Corinthians is over, and he will face an extended period of rehabilitation before returning to action. The club confirmed the seriousness of the injury but did not disclose a precise recovery timeline.