Malcolm’s Fitness Test Clouds Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League Showdown
16 October 2025
Injury concerns ahead of the Ettifaq clash
The Brazilian forward Malcolm, star of Al Hilal, sparked questions about his readiness after suffering a fresh injury in training ahead of the Al Ettifaq meeting.
Hilal are preparing for the match on Saturday, at the Ejo stadium in Dammam, aiming to bounce back and close the gap on the summit of the Saudi Pro League.
Decision time for Inzaghi and the squad
According to the daily sports outlet Al-Riyadh, Malcolm picked up a minor knock during Wednesday's session, with the medical team set to assess him after the final drill.
Previously, on September 19, he had a foot joint issue in Jeddah that kept him out of the Al Akhdoud and Nasaf matches, and the club said the lay-off could be 7-10 days, though rehabilitation extended his return.
The coach will decide on his participation only after the last training, hoping to field him if he is 100% ready given the busy October schedule.
All international players will join Thursday's session after 24 hours rest following FIFA commitments, save Salem Al-Dawsari who is dealing with a thigh strain.
Hilal's treatment room has been crowded with injuries, as Darwin Nunez remains sidelined, with Abdulilah Al-Maliki and Sergije Savic continuing their rehab with Malcolm.
Hilal sit sixth with eight points, seeking a return to form and to shorten the gap on the leader.
Malcolm's impact: since joining, he lit up the Club World Cup last summer in the USA, and was among the stars in the famous 4-3 win over Manchester City, scoring the second goal.
In the current campaign, he has played 4 matches (3 league, 1 AFC), scoring 3 goals and delivering 2 assists before the current setback.
Since joining Hilal, he has appeared in 102 matches across competitions, with 40 goals and 33 assists, and is valued around €22 million, making him one of the league's top stars.
Upcoming fixtures and stakes
Hilal's upcoming fixtures include the Ettifaq clash in Dammam at 6:45 pm local time, aiming for a third win of the season and to trim the gap to the leader to four points.
Ettifaq sit seventh with seven points, making the clash evenly matched in terms of ambition.
Hilal hold a historical edge over Ettifaq, having rarely lost to them in the Saudi Pro League over the last decade.
After Ettifaq, Hilal face Al Sadd in Doha on 21 October at Kingdom Arena, in the third round of the AFC Champions League for the elite.
Then they meet Al Ittihad in a Saudi classic on 24 October in Jeddah, in the sixth round of the league, a game described as a pivotal crossroads for both clubs.
The month ends with a King's Cup last-16 tie against Akhdoud on 28 October in Najran, against a backdrop of a packed schedule requiring top physical readiness and smart management of returning stars.
Punchline time - If Malcolm plays, the defense might need a GPS; with him on the field, he'll be finding space faster than a postman with a new delivery route. - And if the physios start posting selfies of their calendars, you know you're in for a tough October; football schedules don't forgive, but they do deliver punchlines."
