Bono Re-signs with Al Hilal: A Lock on Goalkeeping and a Season to Shine

Renewal, Achievements, and Club Context

Al Hilal’s management announced today that they have reached a final agreement with Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bono to renew his contract with the club in the near future. This move secures a pillar of the club’s stability in goal as they navigate a demanding schedule in both domestic competition and continental duties.

According to the sports daily Okaz, the club persuaded Bono to extend his stay, and reportedly also encouraged Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to remain with the squad, underscoring a broader effort to maintain core experience amid a period of significant change in Saudi football.

Bono joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023, arriving from Sevilla as part of a sweeping wave of transfers linked to the Saudi Pro League’s rapid evolution following the partial sale of several clubs to the Saudi Public Investment Fund. His arrival helped fortify a squad intent on competing at the highest level both at home and in Asia.

The Moroccan goalkeeper has appeared in 99 matches for Al Hilal across all competitions, conceding 94 goals and keeping 38 clean sheets, a record that has cemented him as a key figure in the team’s defensive solidity.

His performances at the FIFA Club World Cup stood out, as Bono recorded 23 saves, establishing himself as one of the tournament’s top performers and helping elevate the club’s standing on the world stage.

Additionally, Bono topped the event’s saves-from-inside-the-box chart with 15 stops and earned an 8.18 rating from SofaScore, signaling his ongoing primacy among elite keepers and positioning him among early contenders for the world’s best goalkeeper awards.

Injury Woes, Returns, and Upcoming Fixtures

News of a double setback ahead of the Al Ettifaq clash arrived as the club faced a testing period. Brazilian forward Malcolm picked up a minor injury during Wednesday’s training, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming league fixture.

Malcolm had previously suffered a foot joint injury on September 19 in a match in Jeddah against Al Ahli, which caused him to miss subsequent league fixtures and a high-stakes Champions League/Asia campaign against Nasaf. The club did not reveal a precise return timeline, but the expectation was a careful rehabilitation plan to ensure his readiness for key clashes.

Salah Al-Dawsari also spent time in the club’s medical facilities with a pelvis issue, with the duration of his absence not disclosed. His participation in the next league match remains uncertain, reflecting the ongoing careful management of squad fitness in a crowded calendar.

Since Italian coach Simone Inzaghi arrived in Riyadh, Al-Dawsari has featured in nine matches, scoring once and contributing three assists, with a relatively small number of absences due to injuries in a demanding run of fixtures. The team has continued to balance rotation and continuity as they chase success across competitions.

On a positive note, Darwin Nunez and Brazilian winger Malcolm have returned to full training after completing rehabilitation programs, positioning them to be available for the Al Ettifaq contest. Nunez’s return has been particularly anticipated as the team looks to strengthen attacking options alongside the renewal of Bono in goal.

Nunez, who joined from Liverpool, had shown promising form before his injury, contributing two goals and another assist in four appearances. His return adds depth and variety to the team’s attacking arsenal as they navigate a packed schedule and seek to maintain momentum in the league and continental competition.

The club also announced discounted tickets for the Oct 21 Group stage clash with Al Sadd as part of commemorating the club’s 68th anniversary. Tickets were priced at a maximum of 57 riyals, notably lower than typical matchday prices, a gesture welcomed by supporters ahead of a pivotal match in the competition’s West Asia group stage.

Al Hilal currently leads Group West Asia with six points from two games, while Al Sadd sits seventh with two points, setting the stage for a competitive push in the group and a test of the squad’s depth and resilience this season.

Punchline: If Bono keeps this up, even the net will start filing for autograph rights—the only thing more confident than his saves is the crowd’s roar when he backs them up. Punchline 2: With injuries popping up and a renewal secured, the Riyadh calendar may need a calendar app just to handle the drama—and Bono’s gloves will probably file for a better plot twist too.