Al-Hilal confirmed that young defender Yusuf Akçiçek has successfully undergone surgery on his lower abdominal muscles.
The update was shared through the club’s official X account, accompanied by a photo of the 19-year-old Turkish defender giving a thumbs-up from his hospital bed in Paris.Softfootball gathered that the procedure was carried out by specialist Dr. Gilles Reboul, who worked closely with Al-Hilal’s medical team to address the issue.
They announced:
Yusuf undergoes a successful surgery in Paris
His injury added to a growing list of fitness concerns within the squad during the ongoing Saudi Pro League campaign. Veteran striker Karim Benzema, who recently made a surprise switch to Al-Hilal after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad Club, is also dealing with an adductor injury.
Akçiçek had traveled to the French capital earlier for further medical assessment before the decision was made to proceed with the operation. The young defender, who joined Al-Hilal from Fenerbahçe SK in September 2025, signed a four-year contract reportedly worth €6 million per year, highlighting the club’s long-term belief in his potential.
Despite the setback, Akçiçek remains one of the most promising young defenders at Al-Hilal, and the successful surgery is expected to pave the way for his recovery as the club continues to compete on multiple fronts this season.
