Gabriel Martinelli nearing Al Hilal return after positive injury rehabilitation

Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli is close to returning to full-team training with Al Hilal after making good progress in his rehabilitation from a muscle injury.

The player has followed his treatment programme as planned and is understood to be responding positively, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya. He is expected to join his team-mates once Al Hilal’s current break ends.

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi gave his squad 10 days off after domestic fixtures were paused during the current international window. Martinelli has used the period to continue his recovery programme away from competitive action.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury during Al Hilal’s match against Al Qadsiah on 23 October, in the 11th round of the Roshn Saudi League. Al Hilal subsequently confirmed on its official X account that he would require a treatment and rehabilitation programme lasting between 10 and 15 days.

Martinelli has missed three matches since sustaining the injury. Those absences came in Al Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite fixtures against Qatar’s Al Shamal and the United Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli, as well as the Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al Fateh.

The club are due to resume training on 14 November as preparations begin for the return of the season. Attention will focus on Martinelli’s condition and whether he is ready to rejoin the squad when the players report back.

His rehabilitation has progressed during a period without domestic matches, but his final level of fitness will be assessed before he returns to collective training. The Brazilian’s availability will provide Al Hilal with a clearer picture of their attacking options ahead of the resumption of their campaign.

The injury had kept Martinelli out since the match against Al Qadsiah, but the rehabilitation period has now brought him to the stage where a return to the group is being considered.

Al Hilal are waiting for the completion of the current break before determining whether the forward can train fully with the squad. His progress has so far been described as positive, with the club continuing to follow the medical plan set for his recovery.