Inzaghi's Final Ask as Cancelo Prepares to Depart Al Hilal
6 January 2026
Inzaghi's Final Ask Ahead of Cancelo's Departure
The Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, head coach of Al Hilal, clings to one final request before Portuguese winger Joao Cancelo leaves the squad during the ongoing winter transfer window.
According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Yawm, Inzaghi wants Cancelo to feature for Al Hilal against Al Nassr in the derby set for Round 15 of the Roshen Pro League, ahead of his move to Barcelona.
Inzaghi has decided to offload Cancelo due to foreign player limits and his desire not to register him on the domestic squad.
Since the Portuguese player's return from injury, he has played four matches for Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League for the elite, scoring one goal and making two assists.
Barcelona has reached an agreement with Al Hilal to take Cancelo on loan for six months during this winter window.
The club is preparing to face Al Hazm in Round 14 of the Roshen Pro League, scheduled for Friday.
Punchline 1: In the transfer market, timing is everything—it's the only sport where a loan can become a life update.
Punchline 2: If the window shuts, blame it on the auto-fill—my agent's jokes are still in beta.
