Shadi Riad: 'Injury Taught Me Patience and Not to Give Up' After Year-Long Absence

Moroccan defender Chadi Riad expressed his immense joy at returning to competitive action after a year-long absence due to injury. He affirmed that the moment he stepped onto the pitch brought a mix of emotions, including happiness, tension, and a sense of responsibility.

Riad featured as a substitute yesterday, Sunday, in Crystal Palace's match against Chelsea, entering the field in the 76th minute. This marked his return to competitive play after a year on the sidelines following a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, which required surgery.

In exclusive statements to Al-Botola, Riad said: "My feeling the moment I entered the pitch? It was a mix of tension, joy, and a sense of responsibility, because it's not easy to return after months of absence. I felt a great responsibility to prove myself again and to show the fans that I am still capable of returning to my level and my place on the field."

Regarding the months of absence and how he experienced them, Chadi stated: "I lived through it with great difficulty; it was not easy. However, I always tried to strengthen myself mentally so that I could get back on my feet and work very hard on myself."

The former Barcelona player concluded his remarks by saying: "From this injury, I learned the importance of patience, working step by step, and never giving up. The support from those close to me played a significant role during this period, both family and friends. This support gave me the strength to stay focused on my goal, and I eagerly awaited the day of my return to the pitches. I feel immense pride after my comeback, and the future, God willing, will be even better."