Al-Hilal, the Saudi Professional League leaders, announced that their Portuguese midfielder, Ruben Neves, has suffered an injury that will sideline him for up to 10 days. This injury comes at a crucial point in the season, causing concern among the club's fans, who rely on the player as a key pillar of coach Jorge Jesus's squad.
Details of the injury and the general context
Al-Hilal clarified in a brief official statement via the “X” platform that medical examinations revealed Neves is suffering from a hamstring injury. The player felt pain during the thrilling derby match against Al-Shabab, which Al-Hilal won 4-3, in the Roshan League. Despite the importance of the victory, which strengthened the team's lead, Neves' injury overshadowed the joy of the win.
Ruben Neves, 27, is considered one of the most prominent signings made by Saudi clubs in the summer of 2023, joining Al-Hilal from English club Wolverhampton Wanderers in a big-money deal. Since his arrival, Neves has established himself as an indispensable element in midfield, thanks to his ability to dictate the tempo, his precise passing, and his powerful shots, directly contributing to the team's historic winning streak this season.
The expected impact of Neves' absence
Domestically, Neves' absence will impact Al Hilal's plans to maintain their unbeaten record and secure the league title early. He is expected to miss several crucial league and King's Cup matches, presenting coach Jesus with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement to maintain the team's balance. Al Hilal has good options in this position with players like Salman Al-Faraj and Mohamed Kanno, but Neves' technical qualities make replacing him a difficult task.
Regionally, the biggest concern is the potential impact of his absence on the team's campaign in the AFC Champions League, a title Al-Hilal is eager to reclaim. With the tournament's final stages approaching, the team needs all its key players available, and any absence of a player of Neves' caliber could be costly. Fans and management alike are hoping his absence will be brief and that he will return fully fit before the crucial continental fixtures.
This absence represents a real test of Al-Hilal's squad depth and its ability to cope with the pressure of matches and injuries in the final stretch of an exceptional season in which the team is striving to achieve all possible titles.
