Inzaghi Stands Ground as Al Hilal Keeps Leonardo in Focus
17 January 2026
Background
Italian coach Simone Inzaghi is standing firm against Al Hilal's January transfer plan involving Brazilian forward Marcus Leonardo.
According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Yom, Inzaghi told Leonardo of his importance to the squad and rejected any notion of him leaving the club, insisting he will be the team's main striker for domestic and continental competitions in the near term.
The club reportedly decided to sacrifice Leonardo in order to sign a new striker in January and to pursue Lorenzo Luca from Napoli.
Leonardo has featured in 20 matches across all competitions, scoring 12 goals in 1,386 minutes, roughly one goal every 116 minutes.
Outlook
Inzaghi's stance keeps Leonardo at the center of Al Hilal's January plans, at least for now. If the transfer window is a chessboard, he just made a defensive move.
Punchline: If stubbornness were a sport, Inzaghi would win the league by January lunch break.
Punchline: Leonardo's goals might need a map, because they’re staying put while rumors spin like a blender.
