In a whirlwind week for Saudi football, Al-Hilal have made headlines with a flurry of high-profile moves both on and off the pitch. The Riyadh giants have not only secured the future of their defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly but have also shaken up their attacking ranks with the blockbuster arrival of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, resulting in the exclusion of Darwin Nunez from the Saudi Pro League registration list. These developments signal Al-Hilal’s relentless ambition to dominate both domestically and on the continental stage as the Saudi Professional League enters its decisive phase.
Let’s start at the back, where Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly has put pen to paper on a contract extension, committing his immediate future to Al-Hilal until 2027. The news, announced on February 12, 2026, was met with jubilation by the club’s faithful and relief by the coaching staff. "I am very happy to renew my contract until 2027. I hope to see you all on the pitch soon to win championships, God willing," Koulibaly expressed through Al-Hilal’s official channels, his words echoing the optimism and hunger that have defined his tenure in Riyadh.
The renewal wasn’t just a routine administrative move. It came at the direct recommendation of manager Simone Inzaghi, who reportedly views Koulibaly as the linchpin of his defense and a true leader within the squad. For a club with Al-Hilal’s ambitions, stability at the back is non-negotiable, and Koulibaly’s European pedigree and leadership qualities make him an indispensable figure in the dressing room. His presence, especially in high-stakes matches, has been credited with boosting morale and instilling confidence across the team.
Al-Hilal’s management wasted no time finalizing the deal, ironing out all financial and contractual details to ensure Koulibaly remains a pillar of their project. In the current climate of the Saudi Professional League, where clubs are fiercely competing to retain their international stars, this move is a clear statement of intent. The timing is also crucial, as Al-Hilal gear up for a high-octane clash against Al-Ettifaq at the Kingdom Arena in the 22nd round of the league. The anticipation is palpable, with fans eager to see their team extend its winning streak and maintain momentum in the title race.
But the big news doesn’t stop at the back. Up front, Al-Hilal have pulled off one of the most sensational transfers of the season, luring Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad. The French striker’s arrival has set tongues wagging across the footballing world, not only for his on-field prowess but also for the media attention he commands. Benzema’s signing, however, came with a major consequence: the club was forced to make a tough call due to the Saudi Pro League’s strict foreign player quota, which allows only eight non-local players aged 21 or over per match.
That decision saw Darwin Nunez, the Uruguayan forward signed from Liverpool for £45 million in August 2025, dropped from the SPL registration list. Nunez’s stint in Saudi Arabia has been a tale of unfulfilled promise. Hopes were high when he penned a three-year deal, but a knee injury sidelined him for 25 days early in the campaign, hampering his adaptation. Even when fit, Nunez struggled to find the net consistently, mirroring the inconsistency that plagued his final months at Anfield. With Marcos Leonardo, the Brazilian striker, overtaking him in the pecking order and Benzema’s star power now added to the mix, Nunez’s future at Al-Hilal looks increasingly uncertain. Reports suggest he will be sold at the end of the 2025-26 season, with Turkish giants Fenerbahce among the clubs circling for his signature.
The shake-up didn’t stop there. Alongside Benzema, the club’s foreign contingent for the remainder of the season boasts a formidable lineup: Moroccan shot-stopper Yassine Bounou, French left-back Theo Hernandez, Koulibaly anchoring the center-back position, Portuguese midfield dynamo Ruben Neves, Serbian powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and the aforementioned Marcos Leonardo. Spanish center-back Pablo Mari was also omitted from the domestic squad list by Inzaghi, further underscoring the ruthlessness of competition within the squad.
For Al-Hilal, these moves are about more than just complying with league regulations—they represent a calculated gamble to maximize both performance and commercial appeal. Benzema’s arrival is expected to not only bolster the team’s attacking options but also to draw even greater media attention to the Saudi league, raising its international profile. The Frenchman’s proven track record at Real Madrid and Al-Ittihad, coupled with his experience in high-stakes matches, makes him a marquee addition as Al-Hilal push for silverware on multiple fronts.
Meanwhile, the club’s decision to renew Koulibaly’s contract sends a strong message to rivals: Al-Hilal are building for sustained success, not just short-term glory. With the league entering its critical stretch, the importance of squad depth, experience, and leadership cannot be overstated. Simone Inzaghi’s fingerprints are all over these decisions, as he seeks to blend star power with tactical discipline in pursuit of domestic and continental honors.
The changes have not gone unnoticed by fans and pundits alike. Social media buzzed with reactions to Benzema’s unveiling and Nunez’s exclusion, while Koulibaly’s contract extension was widely celebrated as a masterstroke of squad management. As one supporter put it, “With Koulibaly staying and Benzema joining, Al-Hilal are making all the right moves to stay at the top!”
Looking ahead, the pressure is on Al-Hilal to translate these off-field maneuvers into on-field results. The upcoming match against Al-Ettifaq is just the beginning of a crucial run of fixtures that will test the squad’s cohesion and resilience. With Koulibaly marshalling the defense and Benzema poised to spearhead the attack, the stage is set for an electrifying finish to the season.
Whether these bold moves will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Al-Hilal are leaving nothing to chance in their quest for supremacy. With the league’s spotlight firmly fixed on Riyadh, fans can expect drama, excitement, and perhaps a few more surprises as the campaign hurtles toward its climax.