Joao Cancelo’s Al Hilal stand-off deepens as Inzaghi omits defender

Simone Inzaghi has left Joao Cancelo out of Al Hilal’s squad for their Roshn Saudi League opener against Al Faisaly, citing the Portugal international’s lack of physical readiness.

The decision has renewed uncertainty over Cancelo’s position at the Saudi club, with his future still unresolved after a proposed move to Barcelona broke down.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Inzaghi decided not to include the full-back because he does not believe Cancelo is currently fit enough to compete at the required level. Al Hilal face Al Faisaly at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Friday in their first league match of the new season.

Cancelo returned to training with Al Hilal only a week ago after the club failed to reach an agreement with Barcelona over a possible transfer. The 31-year-old had been given a period of leave while discussions about his future continued, but was then required to resume work with the Saudi Arabian side.

His return was therefore unexpected, as he is due to complete the final year of his existing contract with Al Hilal. However, the latest developments suggest that returning to training has not changed his status within Inzaghi’s plans.

Al-Riyadiyah reported that the situation had moved beyond the uncertainty surrounding Cancelo’s transfer future. The newspaper said Inzaghi had ordered the defender’s omission because he does not want to involve him in Al Hilal’s competitive group at this stage.

Spanish newspaper Sport described the decision as controversial, given that Cancelo has spent a week training with the team. It said the player might reasonably have been expected to reach at least the minimum level of fitness required to be named among the substitutes or included in the matchday squad.

The latest dispute also reflects an existing tension between Inzaghi and Cancelo. Several months ago, the Al Hilal manager asked the club to explore the transfer market in an effort to find a new destination for the defender.

At that point, Cancelo had fallen outside Inzaghi’s plans, with the coach prepared either to leave him on the bench or omit him from matchday squads altogether. The current situation indicates that Cancelo has still been unable to win back the manager’s confidence, while the process of determining his next move has continued for longer than expected.

Negotiations between Al Hilal and Barcelona have stalled in recent weeks. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is understood to want the Portuguese full-back, but the two clubs have not found a way to complete the deal.

Al Hilal remain firm in their demand for 10 million euros to release Cancelo. Barcelona have sought a significant reduction in that fee and have also asked to explore alternative structures that could provide a more workable solution for both sides.

Until those discussions produce an agreement, Cancelo remains an Al Hilal player under contract. For now, though, he has been left out of the club’s opening league fixture and remains outside Inzaghi’s competitive plans.