Three Returning Stars Fire Up Al Hilal Ahead of High-Stakes Al Najmah Showdown

Return of Three Key Players Ahead of Al Najmah Clash

Al Hilal Saudi Club welcomed back three players in a single training boost before the highly anticipated meeting with Al Najmah in the Saudi Pro League, with one player unavailable.

The team will travel to Buraydah to face Al Najmah at King Abdullah Sports City on Friday, in the eighth round of the season.

The club announced the return to full training of defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Brazilian winger Malcolm, making them available for selection against Al Najmah.

Meanwhile, the trio missed the recent AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Gharafa in Qatar, which the leaders won 2-1.

Medical tests on defender Ali Lagami after the Al Gharafa game revealed a hamstring issue, requiring a rehabilitation period of 3-4 weeks before he can return to action.

Additionally, forward Darwin Nunez and defender Hassan Tambakti continued their rehab programs with an eye toward rejoining group training soon.

Ali Al-Bulaihi’s Return

The illness had prevented Al-Bulaihi from traveling with the squad to Qatar for the Gharafa match. Since joining the club in 2017, he has established himself as a defensive cornerstone and a symbol of the team’s resilience, contributing to numerous domestic and continental titles.

Even though his contract runs through 2027, Ali’s role has been under scrutiny as competition within the squad increases. Fans and coaches alike wonder whether the veteran will continue to be a first-choice option, with potential implications for the back line.

As age advances, this season could be pivotal in deciding whether he remains a key contributor or whether the club leans more on younger alternatives.

In this blend of experience and contemporary debate, Ali Al-Bulaihi remains a talking point in Saudi football, balancing a storied past with an uncertain future.

Malcolm’s Comeback

Malcolm underwent detailed checks in Spain to confirm the status of a foot issue that had troubled him in recent weeks, amid concerns from supporters and the coaching staff led by Italian manager Simone Inzaghi.

The tests, conducted with a member of the medical staff present, confirmed no surgical intervention was needed, and the winger embarked on a structured rehabilitation program before rejoining team activities.

Since arriving from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2023, Malcolm has been one of the club’s most influential attackers, contributing with pace, skill, and decisive playmaking. He has appeared 105 times across competitions, scoring 40 goals and delivering 34 assists. This season, despite limited game time, he has notched 3 goals and 3 assists in 7 appearances, underscoring his ongoing impact in the attacking third.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s Return

Milinkovic-Savic had suffered a leg knock and spent time in the medical unit, missing some training sessions. Since joining in 2023, he has been a central figure in the midfield, recording 106 appearances with 31 goals and 27 assists across all competitions.

On renewing his contract with the club, Milinkovic-Savic said: "From day one here, I felt something special." He added: "The fans, the club, the spirit—nothing compares. Our ambition never stops." He also stressed that his stay goes beyond a contract; it’s a heart-and-mind bond that won’t be broken as the pursuit of glory continues.

Milinkovic-Savic has been a key piece in the tactical setup under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, who has trusted him since their time together at Milan’s blue side. He remains a cornerstone of the squad’s midfield, bringing physical presence, vision, and decisive playmaking.

Two punchlines to brighten the bootroom: If defending was an art, Ali Al-Bulaihi would be rolling out a masterpiece every week. And with Milinkovic-Savic orchestrating from the middle, the opposition’s plans resemble a bad soufflé—all the structure, none of the lift.

Defender, midfielder, and forward displays aside, the returning trio injects fresh confidence as Al Hilal eyes a strong push in the season’s run-in, while the fans hope to see a balanced and ruthless performance against a hungry Al Najmah.