In a major blow to Al-Hilal, star striker Aleksandar Mitrović has been officially ruled out of the upcoming clasico against Al-Ittihad after failing to fully recover from his hamstring injury. The Serbian forward did not pass the final medical assessment, confirming that he is not yet fit to participate in the crucial match.
Mitrović has been sidelined since January 7, 2025, when he sustained a hamstring injury. Initially, his recovery was expected to take three weeks, but his rehabilitation has taken longer than anticipated. Despite undergoing intensive fitness and physical training sessions in the gym, the 29-year-old has not reached the required level of match fitness.
Al-Hilal’s Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, and the team’s medical director, Juan Jiménez, made the decision after a thorough evaluation of Mitrović’s condition. The club released a statement confirming his absence, emphasizing that his recovery is still ongoing and that his health remains the top priority.
This development is a significant setback for Al-Hilal as they prepare for the high-stakes clasico. Mitrović, the team’s top scorer and a key attacking force, will be sorely missed in a match that could define the Roshn Saudi League title race. Al-Ittihad currently leads the league with 52 points, four points ahead of Al-Hilal. A win for Al-Ittihad would extend their lead to seven points, putting them in a commanding position to secure the title. For Al-Hilal, victory is essential to keep their title hopes alive.
With Mitrović unavailable, Al-Hilal will need to rely on other attacking options to challenge Al-Ittihad’s defense. The pressure is now on coach Jorge Jesus to adjust his tactics and find a way to compensate for the absence of their star striker.
Fans and analysts alike are disappointed by the news, as Mitrović’s presence would have added an extra layer of excitement to the already intense rivalry. The clasico remains a must-watch encounter, but Al-Hilal’s task has become even more daunting without their talismanic forward.
The match is set to take place in less than 48 hours, and all eyes will be on how Al-Hilal responds to this significant setback.
Mitrović Officially Ruled Out of Clasico Due to Incomplete Recovery
