Torino: Reassuring Diagnosis for Rafik Belghali Ahead of the Greens' Gathering
Rafik Belghali avoids serious injury with Torino as medical tests confirm a simple contusion, boosting his chances for Algeria's upcoming camp.
Injured during Torino's match against Frosinone, Algerian right-back Rafik Belghali has undergone reassuring medical tests that ruled out any muscle tear, revealing a simple contusion that preserves his prospects both with his club and the national team.
According to reports from the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, this injury will require only a limited rest period estimated at less than a week. The player will undergo a tailored protocol including physiotherapy sessions to treat the affected area before a progressive return. While the Piedmont club's medical staff intends to handle the situation cautiously, the Algerian international's participation in next Saturday's match against Lecce remains possible pending favorable physical progress without unnecessary risks.
This outlook is excellent news for national team coach Brahim Hemdani, who is closely monitoring his player's situation. With the right-back position heavily impacted by recent absences, the return of the Torino defender provides an additional option for the technical staff as they seek to strengthen the defensive flank for the upcoming back-to-back fixtures against Togo in mid-November.
Caution remains necessary, however. Even though the tests ruled out any muscular damage, the final decision will depend on the player's recovery and ability to resume competition without risk of relapse. The coming days will therefore be decisive. A return to action with his club prior to the national team gathering will strengthen his chances of joining the squad, though the national staff will need to evaluate his actual condition upon arrival in Sidi Moussa.
It is worth noting that Belghali missed the previous national team camp due to a four-match suspension (two of them suspended) handed down by the Confederation of African Football following incidents during the match against Nigeria in the last Africa Cup of Nations. Following this disciplinary absence, the defender is now hoping to return to the national team and contribute to an important double-header for the Greens' ambitions.
Wissem Chergui
