Derby Dash: Al Hilal Reinstates Captain Salem Al-Dawsari Ahead of Riyadh Showdown
29 October 2025
Return of the Captain Ahead of the Riyadh Derby
Al Hilal have recalled captain Salem Al-Dawsari, their talisman, after a long spell on the sidelines, ahead of the Riyadh derby against Al Shabab.
The league leaders will host their city rivals at the Kingdom Arena on Friday in the seventh round of the Saudi Pro League season.
Two days earlier, the club posted two pictures on X showing the Tornado juggling the ball, with the caption that Salem Al-Dawsari is back in group training.
That post confirmed his readiness to feature against Al Shabab after a prolonged injury layoff.
Injury Details and Tactical Shifts
The injury traces back to his last international duty with the Saudi national team during the AFC Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in October.
The Saudi captain pressed through the pain to help the Green Falcons top their group with a 3-2 win over Indonesia and a goalless draw with Iraq, earning a World Cup berth.
He later explained that his decision to persevere came from a sense of responsibility as captain for the national team: I had to give my all.
During his absence, coach Simone Inzaghi shifted to a 5-3-2 formation, relying on forward pairing Marcos Leonardo and Darwin Núñez, with Darwin drifting left and Malcolm on the right.
This setup supported a solid defense, with Ruben Neves pulled back and Theo Hernandez given freedom on the left, making Salem's return potentially decisive.
Salem did not feature in the last four matches, including a league win over Ettifaq in Dammam, an AFC Champions League contest against Al Sadd, the league clash with Al Ittihad, and the King’s Cup tie versus Al Akhdoud, all of which Al Hilal won.
With The Tornado back, Inzaghi faces a choice: adjust the system again to accommodate the captain as a starter or keep the 5-3-2 and use him as a rotating option.
Award Spotlight and Legacy
Even with the injury, Al-Dawsari captured Asia’s top prize, winning the AFC Asian Player of the Year for 2025 at a ceremony in Riyadh’s King Fahd Cultural Center.
He beat close rivals to become the first Saudi to win the award twice, joining a historic list of multiple-time honorees in the competition’s history.
In his remarks after collecting the prize, he praised fans of both club and country, saying that the recognition was a result of hard work and support from supporters everywhere.
The return of the captain comes as Al Hilal eye more silverware this season while balancing league duties with continental commitments.
As the derby approaches, the question remains: will Inzaghi lean on a restored 4-3-3 or keep faith with the 5-3-2 and unleash Salem as a star starter once more?
In any case, the venue, the vibe, and the timing all point to an electric clash that could redefine the title race in the Saudi Pro League.
On a lighter note, if this derby were a weather report, Salem’s return would be a thunderstorm—irritable clouds, a few lightning bolts, and a goal or two to extinguish the opposition’s hopes.
And if the action spills into extra time, expect the crowd to feel like they’re living in a highlight reel—helpfully narrated by a coach who knows how to press the right buttons and a ball that seems to have a gravitational pull toward the net.
