Al Hilal's Striker Dilemma: Jaber Urges a Finisher to Turn Half-Chances into Goals
22 December 2025
Context
Sami Al-Jaber, the former Saudi football icon, says Al Hilal still needs a new striker, despite the club signing Uruguay's Darwin Núñez, a former Liverpool forward, at the start of the season.
Al Hilal beat Sharjah (UAE) on Monday in the sixth round of the Elite Asian Champions League, but the only goal came from one of the season's standout performers, Brazilian Malcolm.
Key Quotes and Details
In a TV interview, Al-Jaber said: 'Al Hilal needs a goalscorer—a player who scores from half chances'.
He added: 'The size and ceiling of Hilal's ambitions is to have a striker stronger than Leonardo—a striker who scores from half a chance'.
Núñez has appeared 12 times for Hilal across all competitions this season, scoring five goals and creating three more.
He also said: 'In the winter transfer window, Hilal needs a striker and players in multiple positions—not to belittle those already here, but you can't enter the league and other competitions with only Leonardo'.
A former Hilal star also praised Italian coach Simone Inzaghi as a great manager with a wonderful personality, while criticizing the team's attacking style.
There was also talk about Ruben Neves, who the legend said the team cannot imagine playing without.
He added: 'We must renew his contract with Hilal; eyes have grown on him from other big clubs'.
Neves hasn't yet decided on extending his deal amid speculation he could return to Europe.
Then: 'I'm afraid he might move to Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of this season'.
Punchline: If Hilal lands a true striker, even the net will applaud.
Punchline 2: Until then, Leonardo can turn half-chances into full-possibilities—or at least into coffee breaks.
