Al Hilal's Next Chapter: Neves Extends with the Blue Wave and Eyes on a Tough October

Leadership and Renewal

Portuguese midfielder Robin Neves of Al Hilal agreed to extend his deal, after days of negotiations that stretched across the latest talks between both sides.

According to Al Yaom, Robin Neves agreed to extend his contract with the club for two more seasons after the two sides reached agreement on the terms of the deal.

Sources say the coming hours will settle a few small details with Neves ahead of official announcement and the renewal with Al Hilal.

The Portuguese player's contract with Al Hilal ends at season's end, and he may sign with any club in the upcoming winter window if offer arrives.

Al Hilal recently extended contracts of stars Hamad Al-Yami and Yassin Bono in the past few days too.

A Leader

Al Hilal signed the Portuguese star Robin Neves in summer 2023 from Wolverhampton, on a three-year deal, during which he scored 11 goals and assisted 24 more for the Saudi side.

Since arriving, Neves has been one of the standout players for the club, contributing to four titles so far and helping reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 Club World Cup.

His leadership and high level of play put him in the sights of European giants, especially in the Premier League and Serie A, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs rumored to be watching him in the coming summer window on a free transfer.

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi awaits the renewal talks to be wrapped up soon, as Neves remains a core asset for the Blue Wave midfield, enabling build-up and balancing defense and attack with precise positioning and game-reading.

Known for long and short passing accuracy, his ability to steady team tempo and his powerful strikes from outside the box pose ongoing threats to opponents, offering tactical stability that lets teammates advance more freely.

His leadership and extensive European experience have made him a key figure in Inzaghi's philosophy of discipline and flexibility, proving to be the beating heart of the current Al Hilal setup.

Upcoming Challenges and Team Dynamics

Challenging fixtures

Hilal face tough fixtures in October, starting with Al Sadd in the third round of the Elite AFC Champions League.

They also face their rival Al Ittihad in the Clasico on Oct 24, then Al Akhdoud in the King Cup last 16 on Oct 28, and finally a derby with Al-Shabab on Oct 31.

October Highlights: Returns, Records, and the Derby Run

Malcom Felipe returned for the Al Ettifaq clash after a 29-day layoff due to a foot injury.

Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bono marked his 100th appearance for the Blue Wave after featuring in the Nawakhah match.

He had played 99 games for the club before the Ettifaq clash, keeping a clean sheet in 38 of them.

Hilal continued its dominance over Ettifaq.

The Blue Wave crushed the hosts Ettifaq 5-0 on Saturday evening at IGO Stadium in Dammam, in the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League.

Brazilian Marcus Leonardo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by Uruguayan Darwin Nunez's goal in the 39th.

In the second half, Neves converted a penalty in the 48th, Leonardo added a fourth in the 55th, and Nunez completed the 5-0 in the 74th.

Thus, Ettifaq's seven-year winless run against the Blue Wave remained intact since March 2018, as per the matchup history.

According to Transfermarkt, Ettifaq have not beaten Hilal in their last 15 league meetings, with two draws and 13 defeats.

Punchline 1: If football contracts were jokes, Neves just signed a two-year stand-up routine—complete with punchlines that actually find the net.

Punchline 2: And if renewals keep piling up, the club might need a new department: “Finance and Feels,” because nothing says ambition like a calendar full of signings and slightly worried fans who still believe in the odd miracle.