Twenty-one years old. Signed from Monaco for around €32 million in the summer of 2025. A talent Morocco is counting on. Except that Eliesse Ben Seghir is spending more time in the treatment room than on the pitch.
The attacking midfielder had used the international break to play 19 minutes in a friendly against Fortuna Cologne (6-0). With a muscle problem, he ended up missing Bayer’s win at Mainz on Saturday (3-4). According to Afrik-Foot, it is already his third physical setback since the start of pre-season. Sporting director Simon Rolfes did not mince his words: « It’s frustrating, because it happens to him quite regularly. We hope this will be his last injury. » In other words, patience has its limits.
Martínez turns up the heat
Head coach Carles Martínez piled on the pressure. « He has to learn to take better care of his body and to manage it better, » the Spanish manager said. A rare public dressing-down that puts the player face to face with his responsibilities.
The layoff should not be long, according to the same source, but no timeframe has been given. The Atlas Lion, who already missed the AFCON 2025 final through injury, can no longer afford to drag his feet. At Leverkusen, they now want actions, not promises.