Al-Ittihad midfielder Richard Ríos suffers ankle injury

Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos has been diagnosed with a grade 2 left ankle sprain and a tibiofibular syndesmosis injury following a collision during Al-Ittihad’s match against Abha. The injury occurred in the early minutes of the game, forcing Ríos to leave the pitch and later exit the stadium on crutches.

The injury will sideline the player for Al-Ittihad’s upcoming fixtures, including the AFC Champions League Elite match against Al-Aïn and the Roshn Saudi League match against Neom SC. The club is currently evaluating potential replacements, with Ahmed Al-Ghamdi and Dieun Lobé identified as options to fill the void in the midfield.

Additionally, the injury has confirmed Ríos’s absence from the Colombian national team’s upcoming friendly matches against Chile, scheduled for November 13 and 17. The Colombian Football Federation is monitoring his rehabilitation process as he begins a supervised treatment program in Jeddah.