The Iraqi national team and Al-Karma club striker, Ayman Hussein, enters a critical phase in his current football season after a complex period marked by repeated injuries that directly affected his artistic presence and continuity on the field. The 29-year-old star finds himself today facing a dual challenge: returning to his usual level and proving his readiness before the upcoming international commitments.

Since the beginning of the season, Ayman has not appeared in the form that fans are accustomed to, having only participated in eight matches out of twenty his team played in the Iraqi Stars League, scoring one goal, which does not reflect his status or the expectations placed on him. The repeated absences due to injuries were the most prominent feature of this phase, depriving the team of one of its most important attacking pillars.

The same sources indicated that the limited number of matches he played this season was not satisfactory for him and did not align with his ambitions or the expectations of Al-Karma supporters, who were expecting a bigger role from him in leading the front line.

The injury Ayman sustained with the Iraqi national team during the last Arab Cup left a long-term impact, as the player needed more time for full recovery, negatively affecting his participation rhythm and overall performance.

The technical staff of Al-Karma team was dealing with caution in his participation, fearing the aggravation of the injury and his prolonged absence from the fields, which made his appearance intermittent during the first phase of the season.

On the international level, Ayman has a clear goal in mind: to regain his main position within the Iraqi national team, especially with the upcoming global playoff match qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The anticipated confrontation requires full readiness from the attacking elements, in light of the national team's technical staff's emphasis on relying on the most physically and technically prepared players. Therefore, the Al-Karma striker understands that the upcoming phase will be crucial in determining his role with the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Recent changes within Al-Karma club may give the player an additional boost, as the team prepares for a new phase under the leadership of Iraqi coach Essam Hamad, which may open the door for rearranging roles and giving Ayman a greater opportunity to regain his confidence and scoring rhythm.

The new coach knows the player's capabilities well, which may contribute to deploying him in a way that serves the team and brings him back to the circle of influence within matches, especially since Al-Karma's offensive project heavily relies on his experience and ability to decide outcomes.