Neves in Focus: Inzaghi’s Quiet Stance on a Star’s Future Before a Big Saudi Clash
25 December 2025
Inzaghi’s stance on Ruben Neves
Simone Inzaghi, head coach of Al Hilal, has publicly expressed his desire for Ruben Neves to stay with the club in the near future.
Al Hilal will host Al Khaleej on Friday in the tenth round of the Roshen Saudi Pro League.
During the pre-match press conference, Inzaghi said, "I hope Neves stays; he is a wonderful player with great abilities."
He added that Neves remains focused with the team and is a standout leader on the pitch.
Match context and preparation
Inzaghi noted that they expect a challenging period and have prepared well, including a training camp during the break and a friendly against Sharjah.
He emphasized ongoing discussions with the club’s management about the transfer window and stated the leadership back him strongly, with focus on the upcoming clash with Al Khaleej.
He also explained that they’re aware of the difficulty in the Roshen Saudi League and are aiming for top spot in the AFC Champions League Elite to stay sharp for domestic duties.
Defensive adjustments and future plans
Regarding how the team will cope with the absence of Yasin Bono and Kalidou Koulibaly, Inzaghi said they played with a higher defensive line against Sharjah and worked to elevate the team’s defensive level.
Al Hilal currently sit second with 23 points, while Al Khaleej are sixth with 14.
Punchline 1: If Neves signs, the defense might have to stretch a little—because excellent blocking has never looked so stylish.
Punchline 2: And if you blink during a Neves pass, you’ll miss it—it’s faster than a stadium espresso shot.
