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Shock Twist: Was Salem Al-Dosari Hurt in the Al Ahli–Al Hilal Clasico?

26 March 2026

Shock Twist: Was Salem Al-Dosari Hurt in the Al Ahli–Al Hilal Clasico?
Al-Dosari during a tense King’s Cup clash with knee concerns looming.

Injury update and context

A string of reports reveals a surprise about the knee problem troubling Salem Al-Dosari, captain of Al Hilal and the Saudi national team.

The Saudi national team announced last Sunday that Al-Dosari would be withdrawn from the Green camp in Jeddah during March due to a knee issue picked up at his club, Al Hilal.

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadia said the Tornado felt mild pain in the final training before facing Al Ahli on Wednesday, at the Al-Inma Stadium, in the Kings Cup semi-final.

On-field impact and next steps

Nevertheless, Al-Dosari started the Clasico largely and stayed on the field until the 110th minute, when French winger Simon Boabri came on for him.

According to the paper, the captain will undergo an intensive treatment program for the next 10 days starting today, followed by another program to raise his fitness before returning to team training.

As a result, Al-Dosari will miss Al Hilal's matches against Taawoun and Khaleej on April 4 and 7, in rounds 27 and 29 of the Roshen Pro League.

The Tornado will be a substitute during the Gulf clash against Khaleej on April 11, in round 28, and will be ready to face Qatar's Al Sadd on April 14 in the AFC Champions League last 16.

It is noted that Al-Dosari has appeared for Al Hilal in 27 matches this season, scoring 8 goals and providing 10 assists.

Punchline 1: If injuries were goals, Al-Dosari would be top of the charts with a knee brace as his captain’s armband.

Punchline 2: Looks like he just filed a vacation request with the medical staff — approval pending, but the season still has a few chapters to go.

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Salem Al-Dosari?

He is dealing with a knee issue and was withdrawn from the March camp, but he played the Clasico until the 110th minute before being substituted.

When is he expected to return to full training?

He will undergo 10 days of treatment, followed by a 5-day conditioning period before rejoining training.

Which matches could be affected by his absence?

He will miss the April 4 and 7 matches against Taawoun and Khaleej, with a potential return for the April 11 and 14 fixtures in cup and AFC competition.