Al-Hilal has suffered a major blow at a crucial time in the season with experienced defender João Cancelo sidelined due to a hamstring injury. The former Manchester City and Barcelona player will be out for two months.
At 30 years old, Cancelo’s absence for an extended period has been confirmed by the Saudi Pro League club.
Cancelo joined Al-Hilal from Manchester City at the start of this season and quickly became a key player for the team. So far, he has played 31 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 11 assists.
Currently, Al-Hilal is in second place in the Saudi Pro League with 51 points from 23 matches, just 6 points behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Al-Hilal will face several challenges in their title defense, but most of these matches will be without Cancelo.
In late March, Portugal will face Denmark in a two-leg quarter-final of the Nations League, and Cancelo will not be available to play, missing out on matches for his former teams Juventus, Inter Milan, City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
