Matisse Samoise has played his first minutes since suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury last December. The 24-year-old winger featured for half a match for Jong Gent in a friendly against RSCA Futures on Saturday, marking a significant step in his recovery process.
Samoise's return comes as the senior KAA Gent side is in excellent form. The Buffaloes currently lead the Jupiler Pro League with a perfect record of fifteen points from five matches. They have scored ten goals and conceded only two, giving them a two-point advantage over Union Saint-Gilloise. The next challenge is an away fixture against KRC Genk on September 13th.
How did Samoise's return unfold?
Matisse Samoise sustained an ACL injury in December 2025, which sidelined him for nearly nine months. His comeback took place in a closed-door friendly for the club's reserve team. Coach Rik De Mil indicated the player was nervous beforehand. "He was incredibly happy to be able to play again," De Mil told Voetbalkrant.com. The midfielder himself admitted: "I have never been so nervous to play."
The medical phase of his rehabilitation is largely behind him. The focus now is on building match rhythm and regaining a feel for competitive duels. An immediate return to the first-team starting lineup is not expected. Samoise needs to gradually increase his workload to eventually perform at his previous best level. Fans can track his progress via the club's official squad page.
What does this mean for Gent's squad?
Samoise's eventual return offers coach Rik De Mil more options on the wings in the long term. The team's current form, with five consecutive wins, creates an ideal environment for a player to rebuild his fitness without immediate pressure. Squad depth is vital for sustaining a title challenge, especially with a busy fixtures schedule ahead.
The team has demonstrated strong defensive organization this season, conceding just two goals. Their attacking power has been well distributed, resulting in ten goals scored. A fully fit Samoise could further strengthen this attacking line in due course. The current standings show how important every player can be in the title race.
What are the next steps in his recovery?
The primary task for Matisse Samoise is now to accumulate playing time and match experience. He is likely to continue featuring for Jong Gent in the coming weeks to regain his conditioning and confidence. The physical demands of football, like sprinting, turning, and tackling, need to feel automatic again.
The club will monitor his workload closely to prevent any setback. A phased build-up is essential after an injury of this magnitude. The technical staff tracks his statistics and fitness, information also available on the club's stats page. The ultimate objective is a full return to the first-team squad.
KAA Gent's next official match is the away fixture against KRC Genk on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
