Nürnberg confirm Mohamed Ali Zoma needs shoulder surgery as Italy star ruled out until winter break
Mohamed Ali Zoma will not be available for selection for Italy's next squad after 1. FC Nürnberg confirmed that the midfielder requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder — an injury set to keep him out of action until at least the 2. Bundesliga's winter break.
Club confirms diagnosis and operation
Zoma was stretchered off in Nürnberg's most recent league fixture against Energie Cottbus with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder. The club has now confirmed in a statement that the diagnosis is a dislocated shoulder and that he will require surgery on the affected area.
Nürnberg added that the operation will keep the 22-year-old out of action “at least” until the 2. Bundesliga's winter break, which is scheduled to run from December 20 until January 15, 2027. That timeline means he will not be available for selection for Roberto Mancini's Italy national team ahead of the next international break in November.
From surprise call-up to injury blow
Zoma was a surprise inclusion in Mancini's Italy squad last month and earned his first cap off the bench in a 2-0 Nations League defeat against Belgium at the beginning of the September-October international break.
He had been in outstanding club form before the setback, providing seven goals from his first eight 2. Bundesliga appearances of the 2026-27 season. In the previous campaign, 2025-26, he had scored 14 and provided five assists from 29 appearances in the German second tier.
What it means for Nürnberg
The injury struck during a dramatic outing for Miroslav Klose's side. In prior reporting from October 17, 2026, Zoma was carried off after just 32 minutes as Nürnberg were held to a 2-2 draw by Energie Cottbus — a result that kept the club unbeaten but denied them the chance to close the gap on leaders Hertha BSC.
Nürnberg will now have to navigate the busy run-up to the winter break without one of their most productive attacking threats, while Italy must plan for November without the young midfielder who had only just broken into the senior setup.