Kalidou Koulibaly was given a warm reception by Al Hilal on his return to the club following Senegal’s triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Saudi side publishing a video to mark the defender’s homecoming.
Fresh from being crowned African champion, the Senegal international was welcomed back to the club’s training base by Al Hilal officials, coaching staff and teammates in an atmosphere that reflected both pride and celebration.
The images showed Koulibaly being greeted as a hero after his success on the continental stage.
Among those present was goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Koulibaly’s club teammate and an opponent during the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Despite Morocco’s defeat in that decisive match, the scenes shared by Al Hilal highlighted mutual respect and strong camaraderie between the two players, underlining the spirit of fair play that prevailed beyond the result.
The video captured moments of shared smiles, handshakes and embraces, offering a glimpse into the close bond within the squad.
To commemorate the occasion, Al Hilal prepared a special cake in honour of Koulibaly’s achievement, celebrating Senegal’s victory with a symbolic gesture that reflected the club’s appreciation of his success.
Koulibaly’s return came after an Africa Cup of Nations campaign that ended in triumph for the Lions of Teranga. Although he was unable to feature in the final itself due to suspension following an accumulation of yellow cards, his presence and contribution throughout the tournament remained significant.
Al Hilal’s decision to publicly share the welcome reinforced the importance of Koulibaly within the squad and highlighted the club’s recognition of international achievements earned by its players.
The reception also served as a reminder of football’s unifying nature, where club rivalries are set aside to acknowledge success on the global stage.
As the celebrations concluded, attention will now turn back to domestic and continental commitments, with Koulibaly reintegrating into Al Hilal’s preparations following his international success.
The scenes offered a moment of reflection and pride, marking the return of an African champion to club duty.
عائلة #الهلال تحتفي بنجم الفريق “كوليبالي” بمناسبة تحقيقه بطولة أمم أفريقيا مع منتخب بلاده 💙 pic.twitter.com/Igj3Xj4TCv
— نادي الهلال السعودي (@Alhilal_FC) January 23, 2026
