Related Post
Nigeria forward Cyriel Dessers will not play again this season after undergoing surgery to treat a thigh injury that has troubled him since the Africa Cup of Nations, Footynaija reports.
The Panathinaikos striker had initially tried to avoid an operation after damaging a tendon connected to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh. The injury was picked up shortly before Nigeria’s final group match at Africa Cup of Nations and remained a concern in the months that followed.
Dessers and his club’s medical staff first chose a careful recovery plan, hoping rest and rehabilitation would allow him to return before the end of the campaign. The 29-year-old spent several weeks following a structured programme, gradually increasing his workload in training.
Uche Christantus >> Crystal Palace
— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) September 1, 2025
Cyriel Dessers >> Panathinaikos
Tolu Arokodare >>Wolverhampton
Samuel Chukwueze >> Fulham
Victor Boniface >> Werder Bremen
Nigerian players made some serious moves this transfer window 🦅🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/2QlQOG475l
However, when he attempted to step up his recovery in March, the striker began to feel pain again. Further examinations showed that the injury had not healed as expected, leaving surgery as the best option to prevent long-term damage.
According to Sportal Greece, the procedure has now been carried out abroad, with the club monitoring his rehabilitation closely. Early forecasts suggest Dessers will not return to competitive action until July, meaning he will miss the remainder of the season.
His absence is a setback for both club and country. Since joining Panathinaikos in September, Dessers had shown flashes of his quality, scoring important goals and offering a strong attacking presence. He has also contributed four goals in 11 appearances for Nigeria.
Panathinaikos, currently trailing league leaders AEK Athens, must now continue their campaign without a striker who had begun to find form at a crucial stage of the season.
