Algerian international player Youcef Atal made his official comeback this Tuesday, ending a nine-month absence from professional football. The defender had been sidelined since January 16, following a serious foot injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the remainder of the previous season. Atal was named on the bench for Al-Sadd's match against Saudi side Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite, confirming that he remains with the Qatari club despite his contract expiring last June. The elite Asian competition features sixteen clubs in the West zone, with the top eight teams advancing to the round of 16.