Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves is set to miss next week's crunch clash with rivals Al Nassr in the Capital Derby following a knee injury, the defending Roshn Saudi League champions announced on Thursday.
The Portuguese star was stretched off in the second half of Al Hilal’s 5-4 AFC Champions League Elite win on Monday against UAE side Al Ain, being replaced by Mohammed Kanno. Al Hilal lead the 2024-25 RSL standings.
"Medical tests showed Ruben Neves' need for 3-4 weeks of treatment and rehab program, due to his knee injury," said Al Hilal in a brief statement on their official account on X (Formerly Twitter).
Neves, 27, has started all but one of Al Hilal's seven RSL matches this season. Last term, he was Al Hilal’s best creative outlet, delivering 12 assists in 35 appearances, second only in the 2023-24 RSL to Al Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez.
Al Hilal will be at Al Nassr’s Al Awwal Park on Friday, November 1, for the second of the Derby Week fixtures that will also see Al Ittihad host Al Ahli the previous day in the Sea Derby, and Al Ettifaq face neighbours Al Qadsiah in the Gulf Derby on November 2.
