Wire flash
SportsNantes coach Der Zakarian baffled by Mostafa Mohamed's unexplained absence
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
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.
Source report
As FC Nantes prepares for its Ligue 2 campaign following relegation at the end of last season, striker Mostafa Mohamed remains absent. New head coach Michel Der Zakarian has expressed complete bewilderment over the situation.
With relegation now behind them, FC Nantes is focusing on an immediate return to Ligue 1. Less than a month before the Ligue 2 season kicks off, the Loire-Atlantique club played its first pre-season friendly this Saturday, securing a resounding 5-0 victory over FC Fleury.
However, one notable player was missing: Mostafa Mohamed, who has been with the club since 2022. His absence was apparently unplanned, and Der Zakarian — back on the Nantes bench following Vahid Halilhodžić's departure — did not hide his disbelief from the media.
"He decided to do this"
"Mostafa... I've never seen anything like it!" the coach told Ouest France. "Today, we see a lot of incoherent things in football. He decided to do this. We'll see when he comes back."
According to media reports, the Egyptian striker has not returned to La Jonelière since training resumed on June 24. One possible reason for his absence is a salary reduction linked to the club's relegation, which Mohamed may not accept. It appears highly unlikely that he will be available for next week's pre-season match against Lorient in Vannes.
— A.Bo
Top Articles
- Tragedy in South Africa: Jayden Adams, who had just played in the World Cup, dies at 25
- 2026 World Cup: "The final before the final," how Argentina reacts to statements about France-Spain
- 2026 World Cup: France-Argentina, Belgium-Switzerland... What simulations say about the most likely final matchup
- 2026 World Cup: Complete schedule of semi-final matches
- Racist insults against Mbappé: Paraguayan Senate passes motion condemning Celeste Amarilla's remarks
Source
Home Football - actualitésWestern
Part of this Story
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed goes missing from Nantes training after World Cup snub