With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, the absence of Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly remains a growing concern. The 34-year-old defender and captain, who has made 102 appearances for the Lions of Teranga, has not played a single minute for Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League since April 8.

Koulibaly’s injury—a thigh contusion sustained during training—has left fans and analysts alike questioning his readiness for the tournament. Scheduled to face France, Norway, and Iraq in Group I, the Senegalese squad is in desperate need of their star defender’s leadership and defensive stability.

Al-Hilal stays silent on Koulibaly’s return

Al-Hilal’s head coach, Simone Inzaghi, has remained cautious about revealing a timeline for Koulibaly’s recovery. During the latest press conference, he stated, « We have two players dealing with injuries—Malcom and Koulibaly. Malcom is back and ready, while Koulibaly suffered a thigh contusion leading to a hematoma. His return will depend entirely on how he responds to treatment in the coming days. »

The Saudi club has further clarified that Koulibaly underwent rehabilitation at the Meena Clinic, following diagnostic tests conducted in Spain. These examinations revealed the need for additional treatment sessions targeting the anterior thigh muscle. With only six league matches remaining for Al-Hilal, uncertainty lingers over whether the defender will feature again before the World Cup.

Koulibaly’s absence has already raised eyebrows, as he missed critical fixtures, including the African Cup of Nations final and Senegal’s recent friendlies against Peru (2-0) and Gambia (3-1). The clock is ticking, and the world will be watching to see if the Senegalese captain can overcome this setback in time.