Theo Hernandez must pass fitness checks before Al Hilal return

Simone Inzaghi will consider bringing Theo Hernandez back into the Al Hilal squad for Monday’s King’s Cup match against Al Raed, but only if the France defender meets the required physical standards.

Al Hilal face Al Raed, who play in the Saudi First Division League, in the last 32 of the King’s Cup at the start of next week.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Hernandez could be included in the squad for the match, although he must first come through a series of fitness tests. Inzaghi is understood to have made the checks the sole condition for the left-back’s return to competitive action.

Hernandez was left out of Al Hilal’s opening Saudi Pro League fixture of the season, a 4-2 victory over Al-Faisaly at Kingdom Arena on Friday. Meteb Al-Harbi started in his place.

Inzaghi explained Hernandez’s absence by saying the defender had returned late to Al Hilal training after representing France at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The decision means Hernandez’s involvement against Al Raed will depend on whether he can demonstrate that he is ready physically after his delayed return to club preparations. The final selection is expected to be made after the player completes the relevant measurements and assessments.

Hernandez was one of Inzaghi’s key players last season and helped Al Hilal win the King’s Cup. He joined the Saudi club from AC Milan last summer and quickly became an important part of the manager’s plans.

Al Hilal’s players were due to have Saturday off before returning to training on Sunday. The squad will then prepare for the club’s next King’s Cup fixture, listed in the report as a match against Al Anwar.

The meeting with Al Raed will be Al Hilal’s second competitive game of the campaign, following their emphatic win against Al-Faisaly. A successful fitness test would give Hernandez the opportunity to return to the matchday group, although his starting place is not guaranteed after Al-Harbi’s appearance in the league opener.

Inzaghi will therefore take no unnecessary risk with the France international, with his availability determined by the results of the physical examination rather than his status within the squad. Al Hilal’s coaching staff will assess whether his condition is sufficient for a return before deciding whether he can feature in the King’s Cup tie.