Leonardo in the Spotlight: Hilal’s Double Threat Rivaling Immobile and Lautaro, Says Inzaghi
25 November 2025
Match Report and Leonardo’s Double
Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, head coach of Al Hilal, praised Brazilian forward Marcus Leonardo after his two goals helped secure a 4-0 victory over Al Shorta in the Elite edition of the AFC Champions League.
Leonardo’s brace powered Hilal to the win against the Iraqi side, in a Tuesday match at the Kingdom Arena, the fifth group-stage round of the Elite ACL. The result left Hilal firmly atop the group with a perfect tally of 15 points.
Inzaghi’s Remarks and Leonardo’s Impact
In the post‑match press conference, Inzaghi noted that the team performed well, applauding both the starting XI and the substitutes, and stressing the importance of continuing the grind as they prepare for a big game on Saturday against Al Fateh at the Kingdom Arena.
The Italian coach also referenced the upcoming quarterfinal clash with Al Fateh in the King Salman Cup, noting the tournament’s structure and the way results shape the standings after the fifth game.
On progression, he reiterated that the competition format exists and that the current standings reflect who has secured qualification. He added that with three group games left, the team aims to finish first.
Hilal thus became the second team officially through to the Round of 16 in the Elite ACL after beating Al Shorta, raising their tally to 15 points and maintaining top spot with a flawless record. Regarding Leonardo, Inzaghi said he has been excellent since the World Cup and in all competitions, training seriously and delivering consistently.
He also highlighted the broader comparison the team often makes, noting that they have forwards who can score like Ciro Immobile and Lautaro Martinez, as well as Leonardo, underscoring the depth in attack and the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.
Marcus Leonardo himself spoke about his goals, particularly the second, which was the 400th for Hilal in AFC Champions League history. He expressed happiness at scoring and emphasized that the win was the result of a week of hard work, not luck. He stressed the importance of hard work and maintaining focus in every match.
When asked about the difference between the Saudi league and the Elite ACL, Leonardo said they are two different competitions; in the league there is room for recovery, but in Asia such opportunities are limited. The night also highlighted a cross‑continental narrative, signaling Leonardo’s rising influence and nudging Darwin Nunez into a tougher selection conversation for the coach.
Notable Milestones
The match marked a standout night for Hilal, which reached the 400‑goal milestone in its Asian campaign. The club’s official X account noted the 400th goal by Leonardo, before confirming the 401st with a late strike from Cannsilo in the final moments of the game.
The victory extended Hilal’s winning streak to 12 in all competitions and a 16‑game unbeaten run. At home, they stretched the sequence to six straight wins and eight unbeaten away from home, while in Asia they boasted a nine‑match home winning run in the group stage.
In short, Hilal’s ACL run continues to gain momentum and sharpen the competition’s calculus as the season unfolds.
And now, for a touch of humor to keep the nerves steady: Leonardo is scoring so often that even the scoreboard started asking for his autograph. If goal celebrations were a currency, he’d be printing money. And if Nunez ever questions the depth chart, tell him: relax, you’re not in a gym class—you’re in a title race, where the bench is basically a mid-season booster club.
