The future of Saudi international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi with Al-Hilal has dominated the Saudi sports scene after media reports revealed his official request to terminate his contract with the club during the current winter transfer window. This unexpected request comes amid the player's recent absence from the starting lineup, raising questions about the end of his illustrious career with "The Boss" (Al-Hilal's nickname).
According to the program "Our League is Different," Ali Al-Bulaihi has requested a financial settlement guaranteeing him all his remaining dues in exchange for his permanent departure from the club. The program added that the player had rejected an offer to join Al-Shabab on loan until the end of the season, confirming his desire to end his association with Al-Hilal and seek a new club permanently.
Background to the crisis and fierce competition
The main reason behind Al-Bulaihi's desire to leave stems from his diminished role in the tactical plans of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. After years of being a cornerstone of Al-Hilal's defense, Al-Bulaihi found himself out of the starting lineup in many important matches, both domestically and continentally. This was partly due to the club's strong signings last summer, most notably the world-class Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, in addition to the acquisition of Saudi international defender Hassan Tambakti, who formed a formidable partnership with Koulibaly, significantly reducing Al-Bulaihi's playing time.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The potential departure of Al-Bulaihi would represent a loss of experience and leadership from Al-Hilal's dressing room. The player, who joined the club in 2017, was an integral part of the golden generation that won numerous titles, most notably the AFC Champions League and the Saudi Professional League. Internationally, Al-Bulaihi gained widespread recognition, particularly after his impressive performance at the 2012 World Cup and his famous duel with Lionel Messi.
The availability of a player of Al-Bulaihi's caliber and experience is expected to attract the interest of several top clubs in the Saudi Professional League, who are looking to bolster their squads with international players possessing a winning mentality. For Al-Bulaihi himself, finding a club that guarantees him consistent playing time is a priority to maintain his place in the Saudi national team. The upcoming days of the transfer window will be crucial in determining the future of one of the most prominent defenders in Saudi football over the last decade.
