On Sunday evening, the eyes of Saudi football fans will be on King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk, where a heavyweight clash with a special emotional and technical character will take place between the rising Neom team and the leading Al-Hilal team, as part of the sixteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.
The captain returns to face the leader
The highlight of this summit clash isn't just the battle for the three points, but the appearance of veteran star and former Saudi national team captain, Salman Al-Faraj, wearing the NEOM jersey against his former club, Al-Hilal. Al-Faraj's full technical and physical readiness for this encounter has been confirmed following his effective participation in his team's recent league matches, adding a special layer of excitement to the game as the "Maestro" faces his longtime teammates with whom he shared many championship titles.
Historical background and context of the competition
Salman Al-Faraj is a legend in Al-Hilal's history, having contributed to numerous domestic and continental titles, including the AFC Champions League and the Saudi Professional League multiple times. Al-Faraj's move to the NEOM sports project marks a turning point, as the new club seeks to establish itself as a major force in Saudi football. This match will be a true test for the NEOM project against the Asian champions, and will further highlight the high level of competitiveness achieved in the Roshan League.
Previous indicators and technical preparations
This isn't Al-Faraj's first encounter with Al-Hilal while wearing the Neom jersey. The star player previously participated in a friendly match between the two teams on Wednesday, December 17th, at Al-Hilal's stadium in Riyadh. That friendly ended in a major upset, with Neom winning 2-1, giving the home side a significant morale boost as they look to repeat their victory in an official match.
Salman Al-Faraj aspires to harness his extensive experience to lead Neom's midfield and contribute to achieving a historic victory and securing the three points that will be influential in the league standings.
Inzaghi and the challenge of the top spot
On the other hand, Al-Hilal's coaching staff, led by coach Simone Inzaghi, is well aware of the difficulty of the task. The Italian coach continues his intensive tactical preparations, focusing on refining the team's game plan to find the most suitable approach to unlock Neom's defense. Al-Hilal aims for nothing less than a victory in this match to maintain their lead in the Roshan League and avoid any slip-up that could jeopardize their title aspirations.
Match card
- The teams: Neom vs Al Hilal
- Occasion: Round 16 – Saudi Roshan League
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Time: 8:30 PM
- Stadium: King Khalid Sports City – Tabuk
