Demiral’s setback shakes Al Ahli, but a quick comeback could seal the Saudi showdown
23 January 2026
Injury update and recovery timeline
The Saudi club Al Ahli are awaiting a medical update on their Turkish international defender Merih Demiral after he sustained an injury in the previous round against Al Khaleej in the 17th round of the Saudi Pro League.
Demiral left the field early as Al Ahli impressed with a 4-1 victory, keeping their winning run going.
Medical tests confirmed a mild tear of the adductor muscle.
The recovery is estimated at roughly 10 days to two weeks. Coach Matias Jaissle wants the 27-year-old back in time for fixtures, especially before the February 2 visit of Al Hilal to Kingdom Arena.
Outlook and context
The absence comes amid a busy schedule as Al Ahli push to maintain momentum in a competitive stretch of the season.
Punchline: If injuries had headlines, this one would read "Demiral Takes a Timeout," starring medical staff as the backup chorus.
Punchline 2: He’ll be back before you can say "transfer window" — unless the calendar files a delay, in which case he’ll autograph the injury report.
