When Malcolm Dares the Coach: A Saudi Derby Shock
2 February 2026
Match context
Brazilian star Malcolm repeats his gestures with his former Portuguese coach.
Event recap
The Brazilian winger Malcolm stunned his Italian coach Simone Inzaghi with a surprising act during the late, dramatic clash against rivals Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ahli and Al Hilal played to a goalless draw at Kingdom Arena, in round twenty of the competition, in front of a packed crowd.
Climax and aftermath
In stoppage time, just seconds before the final whistle, Inzaghi decided to send Malcolm off and bring on Sultan Mandash, a move that visibly frustrated the Brazilian as he walked off.
Malcolm's protests did not end at the touchline; he kept expressing anger on the bench until Inzaghi approached to calm him down.
The moment harked back to Malcolm's clashes with Jorge Jesus last season when he argued over his substitutions.
The winger also had run-ins with some Al Hilal fans who criticized him, nearly prompting a summer exit before the Italian coach kept him.
Punchline: If bench drama paid salaries, Malcolm would be a billionaire by now.
Punchline 2: Inzaghi's substitutions are the real sponsors of this derby—plot twists with whistles.
