When Will Nawaf Al-Aqidi Return? Al-Nassr Goalkeeper Begins Recovery After Elbow Surgery
Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi has begun the road back from a serious elbow injury, but supporters should not expect an immediate return to football. The Saudi international underwent surgery in London after being hurt while representing his country, and his recovery will now depend on a carefully managed rehabilitation programme.
Al-Nassr confirmed that the operation was successful, offering an encouraging first update for the player and the club. However, there is no confirmed date for Al-Aqidi’s return to competitive action. His progress will be assessed in stages, with medical specialists monitoring how the elbow responds before he resumes full training.
Al-Aqidi to begin rehabilitation in London
According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Al-Aqidi is expected to remain in London for around another week. During that time, he will start the initial phase of his rehabilitation under the supervision of the English surgeon who performed the operation.
The opening stage is expected to focus on protecting the injured area and beginning recovery work suited to his condition. Once that period is complete, the doctor will provide Al-Aqidi with a detailed programme to continue in Riyadh, where Al-Nassr’s medical staff will oversee the next steps.
That handover is an important part of the process. A goalkeeper’s elbow is central to catching, punching and controlling the ball, as well as absorbing contact during challenges. Rushing back before the joint has regained sufficient strength and mobility could increase the risk of further injury. For that reason, the club is likely to take a cautious approach rather than set a public return deadline too early.
How the injury happened
Al-Aqidi sustained the injury during Saudi Arabia’s 1-0 victory over Kuwait in September, in the opening round of the group stage at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup. The incident turned a positive result for the national team into a worrying moment for the goalkeeper, who required further assessment before undergoing surgery.
His absence has extended into Al-Nassr’s season, leaving the club without one of its Saudi options in goal. The injury also disrupted the player’s chance to build momentum through regular appearances at both club and international level.
Who is replacing Al-Aqidi at Al-Nassr?
Australian coach Ange Postecoglou has mainly relied on Brazilian goalkeeper Bento while Al-Aqidi has been unavailable. Bento has therefore carried much of the responsibility between the posts, while Al-Nassr’s coaching staff work around the absence of the Saudi shot-stopper.
For the club, the immediate priority is maintaining stability in goal while giving Al-Aqidi enough time to recover properly. His eventual return could strengthen the squad’s depth, but his place in the starting line-up will depend on his fitness, form and the team’s needs when he is cleared to play.
Al-Aqidi will also need to progress through several milestones before he can be considered match-ready. These typically include restoring movement and strength, completing goalkeeper-specific drills, returning to full team training and demonstrating that he can handle the demands of competitive play. The exact schedule can vary, particularly after surgery, so no reliable prediction can yet be made about the date of his first match back.
What Al-Nassr supporters can expect next
The next meaningful update is likely to come after Al-Aqidi completes his initial rehabilitation period in London and begins following the programme in Riyadh. At that point, the club’s medical team will be better placed to assess his response and determine when he can increase the intensity of his work.
Until then, reports of a precise comeback date should be treated with caution. A successful operation is an important first step, but it does not by itself confirm when a player can return to training or competition. The condition of the elbow and Al-Aqidi’s progress through rehabilitation will ultimately shape the timeline.
Al-Nassr’s upcoming Saudi Pro League fixtures will continue without him unless his recovery advances faster than expected. The club’s schedule includes a league meeting with Neom on 21 October 2026, but there has been no official indication that Al-Aqidi will be available for that match. Any prediction about his involvement remains speculative until the club releases a clearer medical update.
A measured recovery matters for club and country
At 25, Al-Aqidi remains an important goalkeeper for Saudi football, and a full recovery is more valuable than a rushed return. His rehabilitation will need to prepare him not only for routine saves but also for the sudden, high-impact movements that define the position. That includes diving, landing, reaching above his head and dealing with physical pressure in the penalty area.
For now, the news is cautiously positive: surgery in London has gone well, and rehabilitation is starting under specialist supervision. But Al-Nassr and Saudi Arabia fans will need to wait for further assessments before knowing when the goalkeeper can return to action. The clearest answer to “When will Nawaf Al-Aqidi play again?” is that his recovery is underway, but no official comeback date has been confirmed.
