Injury Update Sparks Debate: Will Demiral Miss the Al-Ahli–Al-Hilal Clasico?
20 January 2026
Injury update ahead of the Clasico
A medical expert clarified Merih Demiral’s status for the highly anticipated Clasico against Al-Hilal, after the Turkish defender picked up an injury in the clash with Al-Khaleej.
Match context and timeline
Al-Ahli host Gulf at the Al-Enma Stadium in the seventeenth round of the Roshen Saudi League.
In the twelfth minute, Demiral left the pitch with an injury after a fall, with Ryan Hamed coming on.
Tamir Al-Shahrani, a physical therapist, said the injury targets the adductor muscle and could be a strain, which would keep him out for 3 to 5 days.
In a tweet, he warned the injury could be a muscle tear, potentially sidelining the player for two to three weeks or longer.
If so, Demiral would miss the upcoming Al-Ahli clash with Al-Hilal on Monday, February 2, in round twenty of the Roshen League.
Demiral has been one of Al-Ahli’s key players this season, having featured in 23 matches before facing Gulf, with two goals and an assist.
Sniper mode: If Demiral heals in time for the Derby, the only thing sharper than his tackles will be our jokes—guaranteed to hit the net, even off target.
