Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Hilal, has made a new and decisive decision regarding the future of team captain Salman Al-Faraj, excluding him from the squad that will face Al-Ittihad in the top match of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This exclusion, described by sources close to the club as a "technical and disciplinary decision," confirms the ongoing crisis between the veteran coach and the "Leader's" captain, and marks Al-Faraj's sixth consecutive absence from the starting lineup.
Background of the crisis and its historical context
The roots of the dispute between Jesus and Al-Faraj lie in the period following the player's participation with the Saudi national team in the recent Asian Cup. The Portuguese coach made a surprising revelation at a press conference, disclosing that Al-Faraj had expressed his unwillingness to participate in a friendly match, a behavior Jesus deemed completely unacceptable from a player wearing the captain's armband for one of Asia's biggest clubs. As a result, Jesus imposed disciplinary measures on the player, including individual training sessions and exclusion from official matches, emphasizing that discipline and commitment are the cornerstones of his coaching philosophy and that these principles cannot be compromised with any player, regardless of their name or history.
The importance of the match and the impact of Al-Faraj's absence
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," holds immense importance both domestically and regionally. Al-Hilal, currently leading the league, aims to extend its historic winning streak and widen the gap with its closest rivals to secure the title early. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad hopes for a positive result to restore its balance and improve its position in the standings. Although Al-Hilal hasn't been noticeably affected by Salman Al-Faraj's absence in recent matches, thanks to the strength of its midfield, which boasts world-class players like Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the absence of the team captain in a match of this magnitude remains a significant event. Al-Faraj represents a valuable asset and possesses considerable experience in midfield; his ability to control the tempo of the game has been a crucial element in the team's successes over many years.
An uncertain future and increasing speculation
This repeated exclusion raises serious questions about Salman Al-Faraj's future with the club where he has spent his entire career. With Jesus remaining firm in his stance, speculation is mounting about the possibility of the Al-Hilal legend's departure at the end of the current season. The decision sends a clear message from the coach that his technical and disciplinary authority is paramount within the team, and that performance and commitment are the sole criteria for playing time. While Al-Hilal fans await further developments, the focus remains on securing a victory in the derby and continuing the team's journey towards achieving more titles in this exceptional season.
