When the Injury Storm Hits: Al Hilal’s Key Men Hit by the Break

Al Hilal fans endured a tough day despite the team not playing during the ongoing international window, as news spread about injuries to two of the squad’s key stars: Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić and French left-back Theo Hernández.

According to an official statement from the club posted on X, Milinković-Savić underwent medical checks on the calf area late in Thursday’s training session as the team prepared to return to domestic action at the weekend.

The concern deepened when further reports indicated Milinković-Savić would undergo MRI scans on Friday to confirm the exact location and extent of the issue and to chart a safe return timeline.

Separately, Rafael Raimondi, a spokesperson for the French Football Federation, indicated that Theo Hernández’s issue is not a major one and is described as a bruise sustained in a France session, keeping him in contention for the European qualifier against Azerbaijan in the coming days.

Injury Details: Milinković-Savić

Al Hilal’s official statement noted that Milinković-Savić will be assessed once more with MRI and clinical checks to ensure proper rehabilitation before the next phase of competition.

Theza club also stressed that the Serbian star has been a core component since his arrival, and his condition will be watched closely as the squad gauges readiness for the upcoming fixtures.

Milinković-Savić joined the club in the summer of 2023 from Lazio for €40 million, and he has since become a pillar of the squad.

Across 102 appearances in all competitions, he has contributed 30 goals and 26 assists, while collecting four domestic titles along with two domestic cups and two league crowns with the blue side of Riyadh.

His contract with the club runs through the summer of 2026, meaning a potential move into a free-agent window in January could come if no new agreement is reached.

Injury and Form: Theo Hernández

On Hernández, Raimondi said the French forward’s injury is not severe, describing it as a bruise picked up during a France training session. The player is reported to be fit to represent the national team against Azerbaijan if medical checks remain clear.

The left-back’s influence has grown with Al Hilal’s recent form, and his impact has been felt across both the domestic league and the AFC Champions League preceding the setback.

Hernández’s contributions have been notable since the start of the season, with four goals in six appearances, including two in the Saudi Pro League and two in the AFC Champions League for a side chasing silverware under coach Simone Inzaghi.

Other Injuries and the Road Ahead

Al Hilal’s injury list also features Brazilian striker Malcom di Oliveira and Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez, who have both been sidelined by muscle and related issues, while Portuguese full-back João Cancelo has joined the ranks of the injured—leaving coach Inzaghi facing a real challenge in keeping his tactical plan intact.

This cluster of injuries places heavy pressure on the squad’s depth and on the manager’s rotation strategy as Al Hilal competes on multiple fronts this season.

With these setbacks, the club must navigate a packed calendar across the Saudi Pro League, the AFC Champions League, and domestic cups, testing the effectiveness of its squad rotation and medical staff in keeping key players fresh.

The road ahead calls for resilience, smart management of minutes, and faith that the medical team can deliver timely returns. Fans will be watching closely as the team seeks to sustain performance while juggling the absence of first-choice pieces.

Punchline time: If injuries were a transfer window, the club would be sponsoring a peace treaty between hamstrings and calendars. And my fantasy lineup thanks you for nothing—your bench warmer is the season’s MVP of patience!

Punchline 2: The medical staff must be auditioning for Houdini—watch closely as they magically vanish problems with a MRI wand and a splash of optimism. Let’s hope the healing show runs longer than the season’s preseason trailer.