Honor, Responsibility, and a New Chapter: Maliki’s Farewell to Al-Hilal

Farewell and a New Beginning

Abdulilah Maliki, a longtime member of Al-Hilal, publicly bid farewell to the club’s fans as he completed a move to Diriyah during the current January transfer window.

His time at Al-Hilal was limited by injuries, and he spent the previous season on loan at Al-Ettifaq, where opportunities were scarce.

In a message posted on X, Maliki thanked Al-Hilal’s management, the coaching staff, teammates, and supporters, describing his tenure with the club as both an honor and a responsibility he will always cherish.

He added that representing Al-Hilal was a privilege he holds with pride, and he wished continued success for the club and everyone involved.

Throughout his Al-Hilal spell, the 31-year-old appeared in 17 matches and scored one goal, without recording assists, while his loan at Al-Ettifaq yielded 23 appearances with no goals or assists.

Now moving to Diriyah, Maliki embarks on a new chapter amid a changing landscape in Saudi football and the broader league environment.

Punchline 1: If transfers were sniper shots, this one actually hit the target—though it came with a few reloads and a lot of coffee breaks.

Punchline 2: In football as in life, sometimes you leave the grand stage for a smaller one and still manage to leave the audience wanting more—just with fewer cameras and more ducats of luck.