Mohammed Al Owais has no regrets over Al-Hilal return despite Yassine Bounou competition

Mohammed Al Owais says he does not regret returning to Al-Hilal despite facing competition from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for the club’s starting place.

The Saudi Arabia international made a quick return to Al-Hilal after a brief spell with AlUla in the Saudi second division. He had received several offers before deciding to go back to the club, with Al-Shabab and Al-Diriyah among the teams interested in signing him.

“I’m not regretful about the decision to join the team,” Al Owais told Thmanyah. “Competition between goalkeepers is a normal thing, and all players will get their opportunities during the season.”

Bounou is Al-Hilal’s first-choice goalkeeper, but Al Owais believes the number of matches on the club’s schedule will provide him with sufficient chances to play.

“We will play around 60 matches,” he said. “If we assume that I will be the reserve goalkeeper, I will play at least 20 to 25 matches, and that is a normal number.”

Al Owais returned to Al-Hilal after impressing for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, despite the team being eliminated in the group stage.

His performances for the national side helped maintain his profile, but he still opted to rejoin Al-Hilal rather than accept the other proposals available to him. The goalkeeper had previously played for Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli Saudi and Al-Hilal before moving to AlUla.

The decision means Al Owais has returned to the club despite the presence of Bounou, who remains the established first-choice option. Rather than viewing that situation as a reason to leave, the Saudi goalkeeper described competition within the squad as an ordinary part of football.

Al Owais’s comments also reflect the demands facing Al-Hilal over the course of the season. With the club expected to play close to 60 matches, he believes opportunities will arise even if he begins the campaign as Bounou’s deputy.

The goalkeeper therefore remains confident that returning to Al-Hilal was the right decision. His spell away from the club with AlUla was short, and he has now chosen to continue his career with the side he had previously represented.

Before his latest return, Al Owais had established experience with Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli Saudi and Al-Hilal. He now begins another period with Al-Hilal, accepting the competition for the position while expecting to play a significant number of matches.