Xavi insists Malen injury 'not too bad'
The injury that caused Donyell Malen to withdraw from the Netherlands' squad is "not too bad", Oranje coach Xavi said in a positive update on the Roma forward.
Malen has been in sensational form since swapping Aston Villa for the Italian capital in January.
Since making his Serie A debut on 18 January, Malen has scored 20 goals in 23 appearances in the competition, at least twice as many as any other player in that period.
He has helped the Giallorossi make a flying start to the new campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini, as it sits top of the table on goal difference heading into the international break.
Like Scudetto holder Inter, it opened 2026-2027 with four straight victories, though it did let a 2-0 lead slip in its head-to-head clash between the top two, a game that saw Malen play the full 90 minutes.
Roma's supporters face a nervous wait regarding Malen's condition after he pulled out of Xavi's first Oranje squad, with reports suggesting it is a knee issue.
But Xavi does not believe it is a serious injury, having discussed the withdrawals of Malen and Justin Kluivert at a press conference.
"It's a pity, because Donyell is in splendid form, but it happened at the last moment, the same as Kluivert," Xavi said. "That's football, you have to adapt.
"I believe Donyell is okay, that it is not too bad. I don't know how long it will take for him to recover."
Malen has already scored six goals in Serie A this season, more than any other player.
He has also had more shots on target than any other player in the division and currently boasts a 57.5 minutes-per-goal rate in the Italian top flight.
Malen will sit out Netherlands's Nations League meetings with Germany, Serbia (twice) and Greece, with Xavi's Oranje debut on Friday pitting him against Jurgen Klopp.
Donyell Malen
Netherlands
