AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez joins Saudi side Al-Hilal
AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez joins Saudi side Al-Hilal/node/2607721/saudi-football
AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez joins Saudi side Al-Hilal
Saudi club Al-Hilal on July 10, 2025, signed AC Milan’s French full-back Theo Hernandez on a three-year contract. (FILE/AFP) Milan, Lombardy, Italy (AFP)
AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez joins Saudi side Al-Hilal
The 27-year-old French defender joins Al-Hilal on a three-year deal
Updated 11 July 2025
AFP
Paris: Saudi club Al-Hilal on Thursday signed AC Milan’s French full-back Theo Hernandez on a three-year contract.
The 27-year-old leaves the Serie A side in a deal worth 25 million euros ($29.2 million), Italian media report.
Hernandez has played 38 times for France with two goals, and figured in the last World Cup, including the defeat by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 final in Qatar.
Moving to the Saudi Pro League a year before the next World Cup could be considered a risk for his chances of getting called up again by coach Didier Deschamps.
But he can take encouragement that Deschamps selected N’Golo Kante for Euro 2024 whilst he was playing for another Saudi club, Al-Ittihad.
Theo is the younger brother of Paris Saint-Germain and France defender Lucas Hernandez.
‘Whole country behind us’: Herve Renard and Saudi Arabia united in World Cup convictions
The French coach spoke to Arab News about the vital upcoming Asian Qualifiers, the famous 2022 World Cup win over Argentina and starring in the new ‘You Got This’ campaign
Updated 01 October 2025
Aisha Fareed
RIYADH: A video for a newly launched campaign, “You Got This,” featuring Saudi national team head coach Herve Renard, begins with a solitary figure running — at first alone, then gradually joined by others, until the crowd itself carries the Frenchman forward.
It is not only a metaphor for Renard’s philosophy, but also an apt reflection of his training methods and the unity he believes is key to Saudi Arabia’s dream of returning to the World Cup. In October, his team will take on Indonesia and Iraq in the fourth round of AFC Qualifiers, top the three-team Group B, and head to the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico next summer.
“It’s very good support,” Renard told Arab News at the launch of the Adidas campaign. “I think (the whole) country will be behind us. We know what they are expecting from us, but we are also expecting from them to support us. From the first gun to the last one. And together, we have to do it.”
It’s a powerful call to arms, and hearts. For Renard, running is more than fitness; it’s his thinking space, his strategy room, and his sanctuary.
“If I don’t run, I’m not feeling comfortable,” he said, explaining how his solitary runs are moments of mental preparation. “I never use music when I’m running. I’m always thinking about what I have to say, what maybe I didn’t do well before, what I have to improve, or what I will say to the players. Always to anticipate what’s coming.”
Arab News journalist Aisha Fareed with Hervé Renard during an exclusive interview. (AN Photo / Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
Renard is, in essence, consistently debating with himself — mentally rehearsing every team talk, every tactical shift, every outcome.
“As a coach, we also like the pressure,” he said, acknowledging the weight of expectation. “It’s some adrenaline, you know? The competition. If there is no pressure in football, it’s not the same.”
But there is one thing that keeps his compass steady: positivity.
“At the end, we are always thinking, we will be so happy, this is the most important (thing).”
If Renard, in the campaign, is the lone runner at the start, the Saudi crowd is the thunder that roars behind him. The energy of the supporters at home fixtures has often been transformational for his players.
“This is fantastic. Especially when we play in Jeddah,” Renard said. “The atmosphere can be incredible. But I always tell the players (that) the fans will follow us if we show them we are determined, if we are motivated. The first actions come from us.”
It’s a two-way relationship built on belief. The team feeds off the passion of the fans, and in return, the fans draw strength from the fight of their players. It’s no surprise that the memory of that famous 2-1 victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup still echoes in every chant.
“Always remember this game,” Renard added, his voice trailing into nostalgia. “But the focus is to try to do the same in the near future.”
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming and qualification rounds nearing conclusion, Renard’s attention is firmly on the immediate task of securing Saudi Arabia’s place on the global stage once again. Recent friendlies against North Macedonia and Czechia have, according to the coach, been pivotal on and off the pitch for his squad.
“The spirit was fantastic,” Renard stressed. “We changed five players for each game, but the spirit was the same — the way we started, the way we finished. We didn’t treat them as friendlies. We were already thinking about October.”
And the evolution isn’t just about the senior squad. With Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup, the development of young talent is becoming more crucial than ever.
“The league is getting stronger,” Renard said. “So, it’s good for some Saudi players. Now they need to compete more. They are playing with very big players. That (will) bring them some experience.
“I’m sure they will get it. And they will be stronger for the future.”
Renard’s leadership is not flamboyant. It is thoughtful, relentless, and quietly commanding — like a long-distance runner who never stops moving forward. In his words and his work, there is always purpose.
“Let’s do it together,” he concluded, returning once more to that image of unity. “It’s a collaborative kind of work.”
From the quiet moments of introspection on a solitary run to the roar of the stadium in Jeddah, Renard is leading a collective sprint toward a future that holds both challenge and promise. And in true Saudi fashion, the whole nation is running with him.
A 3-2 win at Nasaf Qarshi maintained the Riyadh club’s perfect start to their AFC Champions League Elite campaign
Updated 29 September 2025
John Duerden
LONDON: Al-Hilal won 3-2 at Nasaf Qarshi on Monday to make it two out of two in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite. The four-time titleholders were deserved winners in Uzbekistan but twice let their lead slip and had to dig deep to take the three points.
Despite a less-than-ideal playing surface in Central Asia, the Saudi giants had the ball in the net after just 90 seconds as Theo Hernandez slid the ball past Abduvohid Nematov, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half from a swift counterattack from deep inside the Hilal half. The ball was eventually worked out wide and swung in from the right by Abdullah Al-Hamdan. It looked to be a simple claim for Nematov, but somehow the goalkeeper missed it, and the ball bounced off his chest for the surprised Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to bundle home from close range.
If that was an untidy opener, the equalizer, which came five minutes later, was anything but. Sardorbek Bakhromov picked up the ball well outside the Hilal area and then unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top corner to give Yassine Bounou no chance and get fans of the Uzbek Super League champions on their feet.
On the stroke of half-time, however, Al-Hilal restored the lead with some magic of their own. Again, there seemed to be little danger when Hernandez picked up possession outside the area, but then, somehow, he weaved his way past five players in red to shoot home.
Simone Inzaghi’s men continued to push forward but were left to rue their missed opportunities as the hosts pulled level on the hour. Umar Eshmurodov produced a defense-splitting pass for Javokhir Sidikov to find space on the right side of the area and then squeeze a low shot past Bounou into the opposite corner.
Al-Hilal continued to have chances. Kaio Cesar had a clear shot from inside the area but fired straight at the goalkeeper. Marcos Leonardo showed him how it is done with 11 minutes remaining. Milinkovic-Savic ran at the defense and found Leonardo in the area, and the Brazilian lifted the ball smartly over the onrushing goalkeeper.
This time, there was no coming back for Nasaf; indeed, Al-Hilal looked likelier to score next than the hosts. In the end, it didn’t matter as a valuable three points were collected.
Spanish Super Cup to return to Saudi Arabia in January
The games will be played at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah between Jan. 7 and 11
Defending champs Barcelona will be joined in the competition by Bilbao, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid
Updated 29 September 2025
Arab News
LONDON: Saudi Arabia will once again host the Spanish Super Cup next year, the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Monday, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Jeddah between Jan. 7 and 11.
It will be the sixth time the Kingdom has hosted the event, and the matches will be played at King Abdullah Sports City, a venue that has become a regular stage for Spanish football in recent years.
The draw has set up semi-final clashes between defending champions Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao, and Real Madrid versus Atletico Madrid.
In January this year, Barcelona defeated Bilbao 2-0 in the semi-finals before overcoming Real Madrid in the final with a commanding 5-2 victory.
Ronaldo winner sends Al-Nassr 3 points clear at top of SPL
Sadio Mane also on scoresheet in 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad
Al-Ahli secure 2-0 win at Al-Hazm
Updated 27 September 2025
John Duerden
JEDDAH: Al-Nassr won 2-0 at Al-Ittihad on Friday to move three points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League, thanks to first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Going into the match — the biggest of the season so far — these were the only two teams in the SPL with a 100 percent record, with three wins from three, adding an extra edge to a game that is already one of the biggest in Asia. Now Nassr have four from four and are looking good.
There was a big crowd in Jeddah to roar on the defending champions and while Al-Ittihad started brightly, the Tigers were unable to get on the scoresheet.
Then after nine minutes, Al-Nassr took the lead in some style to stun the home fans. Kingsley Coman chipped the ball in from the right and there was Mane to volley home at the far post, giving goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic no chance.
Both teams continued to have chances, but 10 minutes before the break, Mane crossed from the left for Ronaldo to head home from close range.
From that point on, although Al-Ittihad doubled their efforts, it seemed as if there would be just one winner. Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, came close with a low shot soon after he scored, but despite both teams having chances, the scoreline stayed the same.
In the end, Al-Nassr took the win and are now three points clear at the top of the standings.
Earlier on Friday, Al-Ahli, who suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat at home to Pyramids of Egypt in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup on Tuesday, bounced back with a 2-0 win at Al-Hazm.
Firas Al-Buraikan opened the scoring after 72 minutes and Ali Majrashi sealed the win eight minutes later.
This league round is the last before the international break, during which the Saudi Arabia team faces games against Indonesia and Iraq, with a place at the 2026 World Cup up for grabs.
Hernandez stunner as Al-Hilal strike back to beat Al-Okhdood
3-1 win leaves the Riyadh team in 4th place in Saudi Pro League standings
Updated 26 September 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Al-Hilal recovered from an early concession to beat Al-Okhdood 3-1 at Kingdom Arena on Matchday 4 of the Saudi Pro League season.
The win on Thursday night leaves Al-Hilal in fourth place with eight points from four matches.
Al-Okhdood shocked the home crowd by taking the lead on 13 minutes when Khaled Narey scored with a stunning volley past Yassine Bounou from a tight angle. The lead could have been doubled on 25 minutes, but Blaz Kramer wasted a presentable chance.
Marcos Leonardo squared the match with a header after Al-Okhdood goalkeeper Samuel Portugal fumbled the ball into his path and it looked like that the teams would go in at the break on level terms. However, three minutes into stoppage time, Theo Hernandez gave Al-Hilal the lead after a wonderful run and finish to send the home crowd into wild celebration.
Nevertheless, Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi would have been far from happy with his team’s overall first-half performance.
The message must have got to the players as Al-Hilal went on the attack after the restart, though a Kalidou Koulibaly effort on 57 minutes was overturned by VAR.
Al-Hilal’s third eventually arrived on 79 minutes, Leonardo grabbing his second of the night from close range after Portugal once again failed to hold onto the ball.
Earlier on Thursday visitors Al-Taawoun beat Al-Khaleej 1-0 to claim third place in the SPL table, while Al-Kholood pulled off the surprise of the day, beating hosts Al-Shabab with a 90th-minute winner from Abdulaziz El-Elawi.
