In a surprising development within Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal club, recent press reports indicate that the coaching staff, led by Italian manager Simone Inzaghi, intends not to reinstate Portuguese right-back João Cancelo to the team's domestic roster in the coming period. This decision comes as a shock to Al-Hilal fans, who were eagerly anticipating the Portuguese star's return to domestic competitions after his recovery.
Sources indicated that Inzaghi is adamant about keeping Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez in the squad and official roster, preferring him to re-registering Cancelo, despite Núñez's recent recurring injuries. This decision reflects a tactical vision that prioritizes attacking depth in the "Leader's" lineup, especially given the significant challenges awaiting the team in various competitions.
The roots of this technical crisis lie in the decision by the previous Al-Hilal management to temporarily remove João Cancelo's name from the team's local roster following the serious injury he suffered at the start of the team's campaign in the AFC Champions League. The management then exploited the regulations to register the young talent Marcos Leonardo in his place, ensuring maximum utilization of the available foreign player slots.
The context of contracts and the impact of regulations:
This debate comes at a time when Saudi football is witnessing an unprecedented surge in international signings. Al-Hilal successfully secured the services of 31-year-old João Cancelo during the summer transfer window of the 2024/2025 season, acquiring him from English giants Manchester City. The regulations of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Professional League impose specific limits on the number of foreign players in local squads, constantly placing coaches under the pressure of making difficult choices among international stars, especially in the event of long-term injuries.
Cancelo's stats and Al-Hilal's aspirations
: On a statistical level, Cancelo has delivered outstanding performances during his short time with the Blues, participating in six matches this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists, totaling 469 minutes of playing time. Al-Hilal, as the reigning champions and perennial contenders for continental titles, aims to maintain squad stability to ensure fierce competition for both the Roshan League and the AFC Champions League titles. This places Inzaghi's tactical decisions under intense scrutiny from both critics and fans.
