New setback for Renard: Saudi star’s injury shakes the Green’s camp ahead of November friendlies
8 November 2025
Injury concerns and a bold shift in defense
One of Al Hilal’s stars disrupted the Saudi national team’s plans ahead of the upcoming camp in Jeddah during the November international window. Metab Al-Harbi, the team’s left-back, picked up an injury during the 4-2 win over Al Najmah on Friday at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraydah, in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League.
Saudi outlets reported that the national team’s medical staff reached out to their counterparts at Al Hilal to check the nature of Al-Harbi’s injury. The camp opens in Jeddah just hours before the two friendlies the Green will play in preparation for the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar next month. Harbi will undergo scans in the coming hours to determine the length of his absence.
The Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, who oversees Al Hilal, sought to reassure everyone that the injury is not serious. He said after the match against Al Najmah: "All our injuries are not worrying; teams competing in several competitions suffer injuries, and I rotate players." He also noted that Metab Harbi felt mild pains, and Darwin Nunez had a slight knee discomfort.
Unconventional shine and tactical flexibility
Although Harbi is known as an accomplished left-back, he recently impressed in a new role, stepping in as a right-back when needed. With Joao Cancelo sidelined and Hamad Al-Yami injured, Inzaghi started using him on the right flank and kept him there even after Al-Yami recovered, delivering an unexpected but welcome offensive push. He contributed two assists in the last two league games against Al Shabab and Al Najmah, setting up goals for Brazilian forward Marcus Leonardo and forward Salman Al-Dosari. In total, Harbi has appeared in 12 matches for Al Hilal this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists, all while operating at right-back.
The move adds a new layer to Renard’s planning as the Saudi squad tunes its balance between defense and attack, especially with potential injury absences looming over the left side of the pitch.
Roster changes and the road ahead
Third setback: Saudi’s left-back options could shrink further if Renard cannot rely on Harbi. The Green had already lost Sadd Al-Nasser to an injury in September, with a recurrence in October, and Ayman Yahya’s muscular woes have also disrupted selection. The team now faces more decisions as it gears up for two warm-ups against Ivory Coast and Algeria, a test of depth before the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Renard must weigh several tactical choices, including the possibility of moving Nwan? not, but replacing left-footed cover or shifting a trusted defender to the flank. In any case, the aim is to preserve balance while maximizing rotation in a busy international window. The squad’s readiness will be tested as the team prepares to meet Ivory Coast in Jeddah and then Algeria in another high-quality fixture.
The Saudi federation also announced a 27-man squad for the window, led by Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Hassan Tembakti, Salem Al-Dosari, and Faras Al-Breikan, among a mix of veterans and fresh faces. The roster includes Walid Al-Ahmad in place of Sadd Al-Mousa and Sultan Mandash in place of Ayman Yahya, with Murad Housawi selected instead of Ali Al-Hassan for technical reasons. The full list features a broad spread of talent across positions and a few surprise inclusions that could shift the starting XI in coming friendlies.
Upcoming tests will reveal how Renard navigates a schedule that could see him juggling a defensive depth chart while chasing two wins to sharpen the team’s chemistry. The Green head into these games aiming to build confidence for the World Cup 2026 path and a deep run in the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar. The challenge is clear: stay resilient, rotate smartly, and hope the injury list shortens by kickoff.
Punchline time: If depth charts had dating profiles, Saudi football would be swiping right on every defender who can actually defend a cross. And if injuries were a phone plan, Renard would be on a family plan with unlimited substitutions. Or as they say in football circles: when life gives you wingers, make sure your wingers also know how to defend corners.
