Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad was stretchered off in tears after sustaining a knee injury during the team's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Everton on the opening weekend of the season.
Riad appeared to twist his left knee while defending a cross from Vitaliy Mykolenko in the second half. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson immediately signalled for medical treatment, with the Morocco international in visible pain and distress. He pulled his shirt over his head and was in tears as he was carried off to warm applause at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced him in the 72nd minute.
Injury-Hit Spell at Palace
Palace posted on X: "We're right behind you, Chadi." The 23-year-old's time at the Premier League club has been plagued by injuries since joining from Barcelona in June 2024 for a reported £14 million fee, making only 16 appearances.
Riad was injured in August 2024, with the knee issue keeping him out until December of that year. Shortly after returning, he sustained a cruciate ligament injury in training, requiring long-term rehabilitation. Those two injuries sidelined him for a combined 430 days.
Return and Fresh Setback
He returned in the second half of the 2025/26 season and featured enough to earn a place in Morocco's 26-man squad for the World Cup. However, this latest injury suggests Riad could face another prolonged spell on the sidelines.
The injury compounded a disheartening defeat on Merseyside in Pierre Sage's first match in charge as Oliver Glasner's successor. Goals either side of half-time from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry secured Everton's 2-0 win.
