Last hurdle: Darwin Nunez eyes return as Al Hilal braces for a decisive October

The Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez, who has been sidelined with a knee injury, is nearing a return to full training with Al Hilal and could feature soon.

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadia reports that Nunez has recovered from the knee issue that sidelined him in recent weeks.

He is preparing to rejoin team drills after making significant progress in his rehabilitation.

However, his return to competitive football will depend on fitness tests that will determine his readiness to play again.

Nunez has been out since September 24, missing matches against Al Akhdoud in the Saudi league and Nasaf Qarshi in the Asian competition.

Key Comeback

Nunez will be a strong addition for Al Hilal in the coming period, especially with Brazilian Marcos Leonardo as the only foreign-born striker in the squad.

Since arriving from Liverpool during the summer, Nunez has featured in four games, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Fans of the “Leaders” are hoping the Uruguayan can help offset the loss of Serbian Alexander Mitrović, who moved to Al Rayyan in the recent transfer window after two prolific seasons with the team.

New Reinforcement

Nunez is among the latest to recover from the club’s medical “hospital” run, preceded by Brazilian winger Malcolm Filipe, who the Saudi press says has recovered fully from his injury.

Malcolm Filipe is reportedly ready technically and physically to take part in the upcoming match against Al Ettifaq after medical checks confirmed his readiness.

The Brazilian had suffered a foot joint injury in the Clasico against Al Ahli during the third round of the Saudi Pro League.

physio Juan Jimenez, the club’s doctor, has designed a tailored rehab program for Malcolm during the international break, aiming to have him fully prepared for the meeting with Al Ettifaq on Oct 18 in Dammam, as coach Simone Inzaghi seeks all attacking options available before a dense schedule both domestically and continentally.

Malcolm Filipe has played 102 matches for Al Hilal across all competitions, scoring 40 goals and adding 33 assists, with a market value around €22 million.

In the clash against Al Ahli, the Brazilian produced a standout performance with two goals in 24 and 41 minutes and a superb assist to Theo Hernandez at 12 minutes. SofaScore rated him 9.4—the highest of the match for his precise passes and decisive contributions.

As reported by Al-Riyadia, Joao Cancelo, Hilal’s left-back, has entered the final rehab stage to shake off a muscle issue suffered against Al Duhail on Sept 19 in the Elite Asian competition, a match that ended 2-1 for the leaders.

According to the paper, Cancelo, aged 30, began light ball work as part of the final phase before rejoining full group training with teammates, with a return likely after passing fitness and technical tests.

His comeback against Al Sadd on Oct 21 in the AFC Elite competition depends on clearing those checks.

Hilal had announced on Sept 21 that Cancelo would undergo an eight-week rehab program, prompting the club to replace him with Marcus Leonardo in the domestic squad.

Series of decisive matches

The team, under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, is set for a demanding October after the international break.

Competitions pause for international duties, but when they resume, the club faces three consecutive marquee Saudi Pro League derbies: against Al Ettifaq on Oct 18 at the King Fahd Stadium in Dammam, a tough trip to Al Ittihad in Jeddah on Oct 24, and a high-stakes clash with Al Shabab on Oct 30.

Al Hilal sit sixth in the Saudi Pro League with eight points (two wins, two draws), four points behind arch-rivals Al Nassr, who lead the standings.

Beyond the domestic league, the Zaeem also has a stern continental test against Al Sadd on Oct 21 in the AFC Elite, a match that could shape their Asian ambitions.

The team tops their AFC Elite group with six points from two wins—2-1 over Al Duhail and 3-2 over Nasaf Qarshi.

In the domestic cup, Al Hilal also faces Al Akhdoud in the King’s Cup’s Round of 16 on Oct 28 at the Prince Hafel bin Abdulaziz Stadium in Najran.

Overall, the schedule promises drama, drama and more drama – and maybe just enough time for the ball to find the back of the net before the next flight leaves the airport.

Punchline 1: If he reappears, the goal net will need a map because it’s about to get a lot of Dammam-ple and a little less drama.

Punchline 2: Inzaghi might have to install a treadmill in the locker room — because with Nunez back, the scoreboard might sprint ahead before the players do.