Algerian forward Amine Gouiri faces delayed return at Marseille

Amine Gouiri remains unavailable for Olympique de Marseille as doubts continue to surround his short-term fitness, despite growing speculation about his absence ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Marseille forward has not returned to competitive action since October 14, when a shoulder problem forced him out of the squad.

Questions recently emerged about Gouiri’s intentions, with some observers suggesting he aimed to avoid international duty.

The circumstances around his injury contradict those claims. A heavy challenge from Uganda’s goalkeeper worsened an existing shoulder issue and halted his momentum at a crucial point in the season.

With Algeria’s national team preparing to open their AFCON campaign in just two days, the 25-year-old still lacks the physical clearance required to resume match action.

Roberto De Zerbi addressed the situation following Marseille’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Bourg-en-Bresse.

Speaking after the match, the OM head coach outlined the uncertainty that continues to surround his striker’s recovery timeline.

“Gouiri’s return? I don’t know exactly,” De Zerbi said. “He has started running again, but clear medical deadlines exist.

The surgeon must give approval. His return will not happen immediately.”

Those remarks underlined the club’s cautious approach. Gouiri has resumed individual work but has not rejoined full training sessions with the squad.

Without that step, Marseille will not consider him for selection, especially with an intense period of fixtures approaching.

Marseille next return to Ligue 1 action on January 4, when FC Nantes visit the Stade Vélodrome. That fixture begins a demanding run that includes eight matches in just one month, almost one game every four days.

De Zerbi and his staff face difficult decisions about squad rotation, workload management and injury prevention during that stretch.

Gouiri’s absence continues to affect both club and country. Marseille miss a forward who offers mobility, technical quality and finishing ability, while Algeria must monitor his condition closely as the continental tournament gets underway. For now, recovery remains the priority.

Medical clearance stands as the final hurdle. Until doctors approve a full return to training, Marseille will keep Gouiri on a controlled programme. The club prefers patience over risk, especially given the long calendar ahead.

As speculation fades, the reality remains clear. Gouiri’s delay stems from fitness concerns rather than choice. Both Marseille and the player now wait on medical confirmation before any comeback can take shape.