Al Hilal and Koulibaly SFC have been crowned champions of the Saudi King’s Cup after defeating Al-Kholood Club 2-1 in the final, securing the club’s 10th title in the competition.
The victory marks another major success for Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, although the former Senegal captain was forced to watch from the sidelines because of injury.
Koulibaly, who has been unavailable since early April, was unable to feature in the final as Al Hilal added another domestic trophy to their collection. His absence has increased concerns among Senegal supporters over whether he will be fit in time for the 2026 World Cup.
The 34-year-old has enjoyed a successful spell since moving to Saudi Arabia, winning four trophies with Al Hilal. Those honours include the Saudi Pro League title in 2024, the Saudi Super Cup in 2024 and now the King’s Cup triumph, all achieved within the same year.
Despite missing the final, Koulibaly remains one of the club’s most experienced and influential figures. Since joining Al Hilal, he has made 120 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing five assists.
The defender, who was born in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges in France, has also been a central figure for Senegal on the international stage. He has earned 102 caps for the national team and scored twice for the Lions of Teranga.
Attention has now turned to the seriousness of his injury and how long he may remain out of action. With Senegal looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, concerns are growing that the experienced centre-back could face a race against time to recover fully.
Another African player celebrating success with Al Hilal was Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who started in goal during the final. Bounou played throughout the match as the Riyadh-based side secured the trophy.
Following the victory, Al Hilal celebrated the achievement on social media, describing themselves as “King’s Cup Champions for the 10th time in our history”.
The latest triumph further strengthens Al Hilal’s status as one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful clubs. Their victory in the final against Al-Kholood adds another chapter to a season that has already delivered multiple domestic honours.
For Koulibaly, however, the celebrations may be tempered by uncertainty surrounding his fitness. While his teammates celebrated on the pitch after the final whistle, the defender’s ongoing recovery is likely to remain a major talking point for Senegalese football fans in the months ahead.
The injury has already kept him out for several weeks, and there is increasing concern about whether he will be able to return to full fitness before the next major international tournament. Despite that uncertainty, Koulibaly’s contribution to Al Hilal’s recent success remains significant, with the defender playing an important role in the club’s run of silverware since arriving in Saudi Arabia.
