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Malen ruled out of Netherlands Nations League duty with knee complaint
·21 September 2026·12h ago

Malen ruled out of Netherlands Nations League duty with knee complaint

Source: Forza Roma

Donyell Malen will miss the Netherlands' upcoming Nations League matches after withdrawing from the squad due to a left knee problem. The Roma forward pulled out at the last moment, but there is no serious cause for concern. Netherlands coach Xavi addressed the situation in a press conference, saying: "It's a shame because Donyell is in excellent form. He had to withdraw at the last moment, but that's football. In my view Donyell is fine, I don't know how long it will take him to recover, but the injury is not serious." Malen, who wears the number 14 shirt for Roma, will remain at Trigoria during the international window.

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Story Coverage5 sources on this story

Roma face an injury crisis during the international break, with Donyell Malen, Wesley, and Bryan Cristante all withdrawn from their respective national team squads. Malen has pulled out of Netherlands Nations League duty, though outlets differ on the precise nature of the problem: Forza Roma and GialloRossi.net report a knee complaint, while TeleRadioStereo identifies a thigh strain sustained during an intense period of consistent play under Gian Piero Gasperini. Netherlands coach Xavi sought to reassure supporters, stating in a press conference that "the injury is not serious" and that Malen is in excellent form, though he withdrew at the last moment. Mexx Meerdink has been called up as his replacement, with Justin Kluivert also withdrawing from the Dutch squad.

Wesley and Bryan Cristante have similarly been ruled out. Wesley, Roma's defender, was withdrawn by Brazil after completing the full 90 minutes in the recent 2–2 draw against Inter, with Vanderson of Monaco taking his place. TeleRadioStereo notes Wesley has a troubling injury history and will miss three friendly matches. Cristante, sidelined by lower back pain, was excluded from Italy's squad, with Samuele Ricci stepping in as his replacement. Roma's medical staff will assess all three players using personalised programmes during the break, though sources express no major alarm. Malen's availability for the Serie A resumption against Como is not in doubt, and both he and Paulo Dybala—left out of Argentina's squad—will benefit from the recovery time.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Donyell Malen resta a Trigoria e non prenderà parte ai match di Nations League con l'Olanda. Nessun allarme particolare però. L'attaccante ha dovuto rinunciare alla convocazione a causa di un fastidio al ginocchio sinistro. Il Ct degli Orange, Xavi, ha parlato in conferenza stampa della situazione…

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

Read original on Forza Roma

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Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante will remain at Trigoria during the international break after withdrawing from their national team commitments due to minor injuries, with no serious alarm felt over their condition. Malen has been ruled out of the Netherlands squad with a physical problem that emerged in recent days, Wesley has suffered a right thigh muscle strain that forced him to withdraw from Brazil's call-up, and Cristante is unavailable for Italy's fixtures. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini aims to have all three available again when the league resumes. Roma have released twelve players to their respective national teams following the 2–2 draw against Inter. The departing squad members, including youth representatives, are Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan N'Dicka, Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné, Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora and Giorgio De Marzi. A fixture to watch closely is France versus Italy in the Nations League on 2 October, which will pit Koné against squad-mates Mancini and Ghilardi. Off the pitch, Jason Morrow has departed his position as Chief Financial Officer of AS Roma to return to the United States within the Friedkin Group, as previously agreed with the ownership. The club has decided not to appoint an immediate replacement, with a successor arriving later. John Galantic will consolidate his role as a point of reference for both the administrative and technical spheres, maintaining the strong working relationship he has built with Gasperini and D'Amico.

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Donyell Malen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad during the international break due to a minor left knee issue sustained in Roma's match against Inter, though head coach Gasperini will retain him, Paulo Dybala, Bryan Cristante and Wesley at Trigoria. Over 20 days, 12 Roma players will scatter across the globe for international duty. Malen's injury is not considered serious. Netherlands coach Xavi commented: "It's a shame because Donyell is in excellent form. I think he's fine, I don't know how long it will take him to recover, but the injury is not serious." The decision to rest him was precautionary. Argentine players Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi will feature in friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. The Benin match doubles as a farewell appearance for Lionel Messi, to which Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have also been invited.

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Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante have withdrawn from their respective national team commitments due to physical problems, but Roma do not view their conditions as a cause for serious concern. All three will remain at Trigoria during the international break to recover without being forced to accelerate their rehabilitation. The aim is to have them available again for Gian Piero Gasperini when the league campaign resumes. Malen will not join the Netherlands squad owing to a physical issue that emerged in recent days. Wesley is dealing with a muscle strain in his right thigh that forced him to withdraw from Brazil's call-up, while Cristante is unavailable for Italy's fixtures. The positive news for Roma is that none of the three is expected to need a prolonged absence. The international break will allow them to work at Trigoria and clear their respective problems, giving Gasperini the chance to have them fully fit again. Malen, Wesley and Cristante are expected to return to full training after the pause.

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