Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed goes missing from Nantes training after World Cup snub
Mostafa Mohamed, 28-year-old Egyptian striker for FC Nantes, has been absent from pre-season training since June 24, 2026, following Nantes’ relegation to Ligue 2. The club and coach Michel Der Zakarian have no explanation for his disappearance, which may be linked to a salary reduction triggered by relegation. Mohamed, who scored 4 goals last season, has been fined and remains unreachable. His contract runs until 2027.
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Michel Der Zakarian: Mostafa Mohamed to Train with Nantes Reserves Until Transfer Window Ends
FC Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian confirmed that Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed will train with the reserve team (National 2) until the end of the transfer window. Mohamed returned to the training center after missing nearly a month of summer preparation. Following a 1-1 friendly draw against La Roche-sur-Yon, Der Zakarian stated that the club cannot rely on a player who arrives three to four weeks late to training. The decision effectively sidelines Mohamed from the professional squad for the immediate future, with his status to be reassessed once the transfer window closes.
Mostafa Mohamed returns to FC Nantes training after month-long absence
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed has returned to FC Nantes' training center after a month-long absence, according to Ouest-France. The 28-year-old showed up at La Jonelière early this week and completed an individual session on Wednesday. He will continue preparation with the reserve team. Mohamed had not been seen since training resumed on June 24, prompting coach Michel Der Zakarian to express frustration. The former Zamalek striker had a disappointing 2025-2026 season with only 4 goals in 24 Ligue 1 matches and was not selected for Egypt's World Cup squad. After Nantes' relegation, his salary was reduced per contract clauses, and he reportedly does not wish to play in Ligue 2. Nantes begins their Championship season on August 8 against Red Star FC.
Mostafa Mohamed Ends Holdout, Returns to Training with FC Nantes
Mostafa Mohamed has ended his month-long absence and returned to training with FC Nantes, which was relegated to Ligue 2. The Egyptian striker had been absent since June 24, reportedly due to a salary reduction following relegation. Coach Michel Der Zakarian expressed disbelief at the situation, stating he had 'never seen that' before. Nantes reportedly stopped paying Mohamed during his absence, a decision that may have prompted his return. Mohamed will train with the reserve team (N3) while the professional squad is on a training camp in La Baule. He has one year left on his contract and scored only four goals in the 2025-2026 season. No transfer offers have been received for the striker, who has scored 29 goals in 136 matches for Nantes since 2023.
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Mostafa Mohamed Returns to FC Nantes After Unexplained Absence
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed has returned to FC Nantes after an unexplained absence since the team's resumption on June 24. According to Ouest-France, the player arrived at La Jonelière in recent hours and participated in an individual session on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, separate from the professional group. The rest of the squad is on a training camp in La Baule. Mohamed had not communicated with the club, prompting Nantes to send a daily letter informing him he would not be paid. He will now train with the reserve team (National 3) while the club seeks a transfer. However, no offers have been received, and Mohamed is entering the final year of his contract. Nantes, recently relegated to Ligue 2, no longer considers him part of their plans.
FC Nantes Loses Patience with Missing Player Mostafa Mohamed
FC Nantes, relegated to Ligue 2 after the 2025-2026 season, is facing a crisis with Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed. The 28-year-old, expected back for training on June 24, has gone completely silent, ignoring calls from coach Michel Der Zakarian and club management. Der Zakarian expressed unprecedented frustration, stating the player is not being paid and is refusing to work. The club sends daily letters informing Mohamed he will not be paid. Nantes believes the player has a plan in mind but has not set a transfer price. Once he returns, the club plans to demote him to the reserve team in National 2. Mohamed, with 67 caps for Egypt, has a contract until 2027 and has played 136 matches for Nantes, scoring 29 goals.
Mostafa Mohamed's Absence Frustrates FC Nantes as Club Receives No Offers
FC Nantes is growing increasingly frustrated with Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has been absent from training since the team resumed on June 24. The 28-year-old, who has been with the club for four years, has not responded to calls or messages from the club. Nantes believes Mohamed does not want to play in Ligue 2 after the team's relegation. The club is sending daily letters informing him he will not be paid, but has received no transfer offers. Mohamed has one year left on his contract, which was purchased for €6.5M from Galatasaray. His relationship with fans has deteriorated, partly due to his refusal to participate in anti-homophobia match initiatives. Coach Michel Der Zakarian stated the player 'doesn't want to come to work' and that a stint with the reserve team awaits him if he returns.
Nantes Coach Der Zakarian Baffled by Mostafa Mohamed's Continued Absence
FC Nantes, recently relegated to Ligue 2, resumed training on June 24 but Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed has not reported. Coach Michel Der Zakarian expressed disbelief and frustration, stating the club no longer pays Mohamed as he refuses to train. The striker, under contract until 2027, scored only four goals last season. Possible reasons include a salary cut due to relegation. Mohamed will miss the pre-season match against Lorient.
Nantes Coach Der Zakarian Uncertain About Mostafa Mohamed's Whereabouts
FC Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian expressed uncertainty about the whereabouts of Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has not reported for training since the team resumed on June 24. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Der Zakarian stated that calls to the player often go unanswered and that the club is not paying him due to his absence. Mohamed, 28, has one year left on his contract and has scored 29 goals in 136 matches for Nantes since joining in 2023. Nantes, relegated to Ligue 2 last season, won their first friendly match 5-0 against Fleury. The situation remains unresolved as the team prepares for their next friendly against Lorient.
Nantes Coach Der Zakarian Says Mostafa Mohamed's Whereabouts Unknown Amid Contract Standoff
FC Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian stated on Thursday that Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed has not reported to training since the team resumed on June 24, and the club does not know his whereabouts. Speaking ahead of a friendly match against Lorient, Der Zakarian said the club calls Mohamed but he sometimes does not answer, and that the player is not being paid. The 28-year-old Egyptian international, who has one year left on his contract, is being financially penalized for his absence. Nantes, relegated to Ligue 2 last season, won their first friendly 5-0 without Mohamed. The striker has scored 29 goals in 136 matches since joining Nantes in 2022.
Nantes Coach Der Zakarian Says Club Doesn't Know Where Striker Mostafa Mohamed Is
FC Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian stated on Thursday that the club does not know the whereabouts of Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has not reported for training since the team resumed on June 24. Mohamed, 28, has one year left on his contract and has scored 29 goals in 136 matches for Nantes since joining in 2022. Der Zakarian confirmed the club is not paying him and that Mohamed is being financially penalized for his absence. The coach noted that calls to the player sometimes go unanswered. Nantes, recently relegated to Ligue 2, won their first friendly match 5-0 against Fleury without Mohamed. The situation remains unresolved as the team prepares for their next friendly against Lorient.
Nantes: Michel Der Zakarian's New Critical Comments on Missing Striker Mostafa Mohamed
FC Nantes head coach Michel Der Zakarian has publicly criticized striker Mostafa Mohamed for being untraceable as the team resumes training in Ligue 2 following relegation. Mohamed has been absent since his salary was reportedly halved due to the club's drop from Ligue 1. In a press conference, Der Zakarian stated, 'We don't know where he is. We call him, sometimes he doesn't answer. The club calls him, I haven't called him. We're not paying him, that's all. He's the one at fault, not us.' The situation highlights ongoing tension between the player and the club over financial terms after relegation.
Nantes Coach Der Zakarian Blasts Mostafa Mohamed Over Unexplained Absence
FC Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian has publicly criticized striker Mostafa Mohamed for his unexplained absence from preseason training, which began on June 24. The club, recently relegated to Ligue 2, played its first friendly match without Mohamed, winning 5-0 against Fleury. Der Zakarian expressed bewilderment, stating he had 'never seen anything like it' and that Mohamed 'decided to do this.' According to regional media, the absence may be linked to a salary reduction triggered by the club's relegation, which reportedly displeased the Egyptian striker. The situation presents an early challenge for Nantes as they prepare for life in Ligue 2.
Mostafa Mohamed's Continued Absence Stuns Nantes Coach Der Zakarian
FC Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian expressed astonishment at the continued absence of Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has not reported for training since the team resumed on June 24. Mohamed was absent from Nantes' first friendly match of the season, a 5-0 win against Fleury. Der Zakarian stated he has 'never seen that' and noted the player made the decision himself. The 28-year-old, who scored 4 Ligue 1 goals last season, still has one year left on his contract with Nantes. The club has reportedly received no offers for him and has already imposed financial penalties for his missed days. Mohamed has scored 29 goals in 136 matches for Nantes since joining in 2023.
Nantes: Michel Der Zakarian Addresses Mostafa Mohamed's Unexplained Absence
FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed has been absent from the club since the start of pre-season training on June 24, 2026, and also missed the team's first pre-season friendly, a 5-0 win over FC Fleury. The mystery surrounding his absence has raised questions as Nantes prepares for the 2026/2027 Ligue 2 season following relegation. According to Ouest-France, the absence may be linked to a salary reduction triggered by the club's drop to the second division. New Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian, visibly puzzled, commented after the match: 'Mostafa... I've never seen anything like it! Today, we see a lot of things in football that are inconsistent. It was his decision to do this. We'll see when he comes back.' The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about the player's future and the club's disciplinary situation.
Nantes Coach Der Zakarian Baffled by Mostafa Mohamed's Unexplained Absence
FC Nantes head coach Michel Der Zakarian has expressed total incomprehension over the unexplained absence of striker Mostafa Mohamed as the club prepares for its Ligue 2 season following relegation. Mohamed, who joined Nantes in 2022, has not appeared at training since June 24 and missed the team's first pre-season friendly, a 5-0 victory over FC Fleury. Der Zakarian told Ouest France, 'I've never seen anything like it! He decided to do this. We'll see when he comes back.' Media reports suggest the Egyptian international may be protesting a salary reduction triggered by the club's relegation from Ligue 1. It appears unlikely Mohamed will be available for the next pre-season match against Lorient. The situation remains unresolved as Nantes aims for a quick return to the top flight.
Mostafa Mohamed Absent from Nantes Training, Fined
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed has not returned to Nantes training since the squad resumed on June 24, and has reportedly been financially penalized for his absence. The 28-year-old, who scored four Ligue 1 goals last season, still has one year left on his contract. The club claims to have received no offers for him. On Tuesday, Mohamed posted a photo on Instagram with a friend, believed to be in Egypt.
Nantes: Mostafa Mohamed Reported Missing from Pre-Season Training
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed has gone missing since Nantes resumed pre-season training, according to a report by Ouest-France. The 28-year-old, who was not selected for the Africa Cup of Nations, is described as 'unreachable' by the regional daily. This absence comes four years after his arrival at Nantes, with the club reportedly closer than ever to selling him. New coach Michel Der Zakarian presumably does not intend to count on him for the upcoming campaign. Mohamed scored 4 goals in 24 Ligue 1 matches last season and remains under contract with Nantes until 2027.
Mostafa Mohamed skips Nantes training after World Cup snub
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed (28) failed to report for Nantes' resumption of training on Wednesday, as revealed by Ouest-France. The club and his advisor have no news of his whereabouts. Mohamed, who has 61 caps and 14 goals for Egypt, was not selected for the World Cup squad. He has been at Nantes for four years, initially on loan before a permanent transfer from Galatasaray in 2023 for €6.5 million. This season, he has scored 4 goals in 24 Ligue 1 appearances. His contract with Nantes has one year remaining.