OGC Nice defender Moise Bombito faces an extended spell on the sidelines after the club confirmed he will undergo further surgery on the tibia injury that has troubled him since last autumn.
The 26-year-old Canada international initially suffered the broken tibia during a Ligue 1 fixture against AS Monaco at the start of October 2025. The setback proved severe enough to end his domestic campaign prematurely, and he did not feature again for Nice during the remainder of the season despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
Despite the incomplete recovery, Bombito gambled on his fitness to represent his country at the FIFA World Cup. The tournament, co-hosted by Canada, presented a unique opportunity to compete on home soil. The centre-back started in Canada’s Round of 16 defeat to Morocco, managing only limited preparation beforehand. Speaking to Nice’s official channels, he admitted the decision to play represented a conflict between physical condition and patriotic duty, describing it as “his body fighting against his heart”. His desire to participate ultimately overruled medical caution, though he confirmed he was not fully fit during the competition.
Bombito returned to Nice ahead of the new Ligue 1 season but was omitted from the matchday squad for their opening fixture against FC Lorient. Recurrent pain in the injured tibia explained his absence, prompting further medical examinations on Tuesday. These tests confirmed that the initial injury has not healed sufficiently, necessitating another operation.
According to Nice-Matin, the defender is now expected to be unavailable for several months. The news deals a significant blow to manager Franck Haise, who must plan without a key defensive option during the opening phase of the campaign.
Bombito will undergo the procedure imminently before commencing an extensive rehabilitation programme. The club has not specified a target date for his return to first-team training, though his absence is expected to stretch well into the season.