Al-Hilal Triumphs with Marcos Leonardo Hat-Trick Amid Speculation Over Neymar’s Future

Al-Hilal showcased their dominance in the Saudi Pro League with a stunning 9-0 victory over Al Fateh, equalling their record for the largest margin of victory in league history.

This monumental win, achieved at Kingdom Arena, keeps Al-Hilal firmly atop the league standings. The reigning champions last recorded such a feat 14 months ago against Al-Hazem during their invincible 2023-24 season.

First Half: Patience Turns to Brilliance

The game began with Al-Hilal’s disciplined approach, and Kalidou Koulibaly broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a powerful header from Salem Al Dawsari’s corner.

Renan Lodi doubled the lead in the 39th minute with a sharp finish from a narrow angle, again assisted by Al Dawsari.

As the first half entered stoppage time, the floodgates opened. Mourad Batna’s handball gifted Al-Hilal a penalty, and Marcos Leonardo converted with confidence to make it 3-0.

Moments later, a perfectly executed free-kick by Malcom found Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, whose looping header added a fourth goal. Al-Hilal entered halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead.

Second Half: Leonardo’s Hat-Trick and Late Flourish

The relentless pace continued into the second half. A seamless passing sequence culminated in Leonardo scoring his second goal with a precise strike from outside the area in the 54th minute.

Just after the hour mark, Ruben Neves delivered a pinpoint set-piece that Leonardo headed home, completing his hat-trick and securing Al-Hilal’s 1,000th goal in league history.

Substitute Abdullah Al Hamdan capitalized on a Joao Cancelo cross to score in the 90th minute, making it 7-0. Moments later, Al Hamdan assisted Malcom, who added the eighth goal with a solo effort.

The ninth and final goal came from Faisal Al Abdulwahed’s unfortunate own goal in stoppage time. Al Fateh’s misery was compounded when Ziyad Al Jari received a red card for a foul on Malcom.

Al-Ittihad’s Pursuit of the Title

Despite Al-Hilal’s triumph, title rivals Al-Ittihad remain in close contention. They secured a 4-1 victory over Al-Raed, narrowing the gap to three points.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a clinical finish, and Steven Bergwijn doubled the lead with a spectacular strike from outside the box before halftime.

Though Naif Hazazi reduced the deficit, late goals by Abdulrahman Al Obud and Houssem Aouar sealed the win for Al-Ittihad. They remain second in the standings, trailing Al-Hilal only on goal difference.

Al Fateh’s Struggles Deepen

For Al Fateh, this defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table with only six points. They are six points away from safety and have significant defensive issues to address if they are to avoid relegation.

Manager Jose Gomes faces an uphill battle to turn the team’s fortunes around.

Neymar’s Absence Raises Questions

Neymar’s continued absence from Al-Hilal’s lineup has sparked speculation about his future with the club.

After recovering from a hamstring injury, Neymar remains unregistered for Saudi Pro League matches due to foreign player restrictions.

Injuries have plagued his tenure at Al-Hilal, limiting him to just seven appearances since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Rumors suggest that Neymar is exploring a move to Major League Soccer (MLS), with preliminary talks reportedly underway with Chicago Fire FC and other clubs.

The possibility of joining former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami has also been discussed.

However, Inter Miami’s manager, Javier Mascherano, has cited salary cap restrictions as a potential obstacle.

Managerial Perspective and Future Prospects

Al-Hilal’s manager, Jorge Jesus, has confirmed that Neymar will only participate in the Asian Champions League for the remainder of the season.

Jesus expressed doubts about Neymar’s ability to return to his peak performance level.

For Al-Hilal, the emphatic victory over Al Fateh solidifies their position at the top of the league and highlights their attacking depth. The team’s focus now shifts to maintaining their dominance as they approach “Legends Week.”