Bench Talk Sparks Attention: Renard Questions Hosawi's Substitute Role in Al Hilal's 4-1 Win
22 January 2026
Reaction and context
The French coach Hervé Renard, who guides Saudi Arabia's national team, criticized Murad Hosawi for starting on the bench during the 4-1 win over Al Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.
Hosawi came on as a substitute in his first Al Hilal appearance, aiding the victory at the Kingdom Arena in the 17th round of the league.
Renard's comments and league dynamics
After the match, Renard spoke on Nadina, saying Hosawi's bench appearance is not a good thing. The remarks come as Renard notes the league's changing landscape, with eight foreign players now allowed and locals playing less often.
The youngster had previously joined the Saudi national team in November and appeared at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar, where the Green finished third with the UAE.
The coach and the team will continue to monitor how younger players fit into the squad as league dynamics evolve and competition for minutes intensifies.
Punchlines coming later, so stay tuned for the bench press conference of jokes: if waiting on the bench were an Olympic sport, Hosawi would already own the podium. Also, between us, the only thing sharper than Renard’s critique might be his tactical notes on a whiteboard.
