Simone Inzaghi Faces Criticism Over Ali Al-Bulaihi's Exclusion

Simone Inzaghi walked into his first Roshn League pre-match press conference expecting questions about tactics and Al-Hilal’s opener against Al-Faisaly on Friday night. He walked out at the centre of a storm over Ali Al-Bulaihi.

The Italian coach explained that he had kept the veteran defender out of group training because he wanted to “watch the young players.” On paper, it sounded like a routine line about squad renewal and opportunities for the next generation.

It did not land that way.

Speaking on the “Nadina” programme, former Saudi national team star Hussein Abdulghani tore into the reasoning, branding Inzaghi’s comments “strange and surprising.”

“Inzaghi’s words are strange and surprising to me,” Abdulghani said. “He says that Ali Al-Bulaihi has grown older and that he wants to give the youngsters a chance, and that is illogical given the squad he has.”

The criticism cut deeper when Abdulghani turned to the age argument that underpinned Inzaghi’s explanation. With a touch of sarcasm, he pointed at some of the biggest names in the Saudi game.

“Is Benzema 20 years old, or Koulibaly 21?” he asked. “The coach says anything to justify excluding Al-Bulaihi, but I see that the handling of the player is not professional.”

For Abdulghani, this is about more than selection. It is about respect for a player who has been a pillar for club and country.

“Al-Bulaihi gave a lot to Al-Hilal,” he continued. “The management should have satisfied him and sold him in a normal way, instead of dealing with him in this strange manner. Saudi clubs deal with the players they do not want in such an unprofessional way.”

As Al-Hilal prepare to launch their Roshn League campaign, the debate around Al-Bulaihi’s treatment now hangs over Inzaghi’s early days in charge. The Italian wants to look to the future. A prominent voice from the club’s past is demanding answers about how the present has been handled.