From Hamstring Hurdles to Headline Moments: Al-Hilal Captain Faces Key Tests Ahead of Big Clashes

Injury cloud over Al-Dawsari’s return

Uncertainty surrounds the return date of Salem Al-Dawsari, Al-Hilal’s captain, after an injury kept him out of the league clash with Ettifaq. Early reports suggested he would miss Saturday’s trip to Ettifaq in Dammam for the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League because of the knock.

According to the daily Al-Riyadiyah, there is also a chance he could miss another match when Al-Hilal hosts Al-Sadd next Tuesday at the Kingdom Arena in the Elite stage of the Asian Champions League, should the injury persist.

The paper noted that a initial examination did not yet confirm his participation; he is set to undergo a medical test on Sunday to determine whether he can feature, given the ongoing discomfort.

Old injury

It was explained that Dawsari had to endure the wound while leading the Saudi national team in World Cup 2026 qualification matters, a period that saw him push through to help secure a place in the playoff path.

The Tornado played in both qualifying matches — a 3-2 win over Indonesia and a goalless draw with Iraq — despite the discomfort, a fact he acknowledged at a pre-event press conference for Asia’s Player of the Year awards held a day earlier.

“As team captain, I must shoulder full responsibility and give my all on the pitch,” he said, underscoring a mindset that has become synonymous with his leadership.

Absence would be felt

Missing the Ettifaq clash and potentially the Sdd duel would leave a mark on Al-Hilal and coach Simone Inzaghi, who relies heavily on the skipper since his arrival at the Kingdom Arena in June. Since then, Al-Dawsari has appeared in nine games for the club, scoring once and assisting three times.

He has not missed many outings, with just three absences attributed to injuries — against Manchester City and Flamengo in the Club World Cup knockout rounds and Nasaf in the AFC Champions League Elite phase. He even appeared as a late substitute against Al-Adalah in the King’s Cup round of 32, while most of the starting XI rested.

Replacing Al-Dawsari

Inzaghi faces a challenge to cover the void: the most immediate option is to lean on his deputy Mohammed Al-Qahtani for direct substitution. The Italian may also shift Malcolm to the left wing and Kaio Cesar to the right, with another Brazilian, Caius Cesar, in support on the opposite flank. A more inventive approach could see French right-back Theo Hernandez used as a left winger, Meteb Al-Harbi pushed higher as a wing-back, or a three-man center-back line to free space for the left-sided forays.

Asia’s best, but not without a hitch

Al-Dawsari’s injury also threatens to deprive him of his Asia Best Player award moment, which came on the eve of Al-Hilal’s win and in a ceremony at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh. The 2025 award marked his second time as Asia’s top player, having previously won in 2022, and placed him among a short list of multiple-time Saudi winners.

The ceremony highlighted a year of triumphs across categories, with Al-Dawsari’s name among the most anticipated faces of the night. He topped Arif Aiman of Johor Darul Ta’zim and Akram Afif of Al Sadd, among others, as Asia’s standout performer of the year. If injuries prevent him from attending the ceremony or the subsequent fixtures, speculation will grow about the durability of his influence at the peak of the season.

Post-award reflections and the road ahead

Speaking after the accolade, Al-Dawsari underscored the team’s collective achievements and the importance of honoring the group’s successes over personal glory, while also hoping the injury would not hinder his future seasons. “I hope this award does not become a barrier and instead serves as motivation for the seasons ahead,” he stated, looking forward to returning to the field and continuing his contributions for both club and country.

As Al-Hilal charts a demanding path, the spotlight remains on the captain’s availability and the tactical alternatives available to Inzaghi. The club’s supporters will be hoping for a swift return, so the Tornado can resume his thunderous runs and decisive moments on the flanks.

Punchline time: If injuries were a stand‑up routine, his would headline every tour — always delayed, always worth the wait. Punchline two: He comes back to the pitch just in time to remind gravity who’s boss, one sprint at a time.