Martinez on Bensghir: He needs to learn how to manage his body

Bayer Leverkusen manager Karlis Martinez has directly criticized Moroccan international Elias Ben Sguir following the player's recurring injuries, emphasizing the need for him to learn how to manage his body better, after he renewed his absence from the team's squad.

The Spanish coach's statement came in the context of searching for radical solutions to the recurring absence of the player, as he said: "Eli wants to play and help the team, but he needs to learn how to manage his body and control it better." Martínez confirmed that the club is not satisfied with this recurring physical situation, and that the 21-year-old player is required to make a greater effort to understand his body and handle it more professionally, in order to avoid muscular injuries that hinder his continuity and development with the team.

Bensghir is experiencing a tough time lately, having been sidelined by muscle injuries that have kept him from regularly participating in Bayer Leverkusen's lineup since the start of the 2026/2027 season. His latest absence was from the match against Mainz, which ended in a 4-3 victory for his team, due to a new muscle injury, marking the third such injury since the beginning of preparations and the current season. This has caused significant frustration for the player, who is striving to secure a starting position in the "Werkself" lineup.

In contrast, sporting director Simon Rolfes has reassured fans, explaining that the current injury is not serious and will not keep the player out for long, while the medical staff continues to conduct thorough examinations to determine the final recovery date and avoid a repeat of the scenario.

These absences come at a crucial time, as Bayer Leverkusen are facing a busy fixture list in the Bundesliga and European competitions, which also raises concerns for the Moroccan national team ahead of upcoming international commitments.