Olympique de Marseille secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Strasbourg in their opening Ligue 1 match, which saw Moroccan international Naïf Akram return to competitive action following a long-term injury.
Crucial Substitution
In the 76th minute, Akram entered the pitch as a replacement for Conrad Igan‑Riley. His introduction marked his first minutes in approximately six months, after enduring an injury that kept him out of the game for an extended period.
“It is an important moment for me. Being able to play again after such a long absence, even for just a few minutes, gives me confidence for the rest of the season,” Akram said after the match.
Akram's return is seen as a positive boost for both his club and country, where he is a regular in the Moroccan national team. Manager Jorge Sampaoli praised the player's professionalism, emphasizing that he is “fully ready to play a role in the upcoming challenges.”
With the victory and Akram's successful reintegration, Marseille has sent out a strong statement of intent for the remainder of the season.