LONDON: Saudi Arabia international Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri will miss the start of Al-Hilal’s defense of their Saudi Pro League crown after he underwent surgery on Monday.
The midfielder, who went to the World Cup but did not play a single minute, has sustained a leg fracture on his return to preseason training with the champions and he could be out for up to two months.
“Abdulmalek underwent successful leg surgery today under the supervision of the club health care partner Bupa Arabia following his stress fracture injury,” read a club statement. “Al-Khaibri will go through treatment and rehab program for five to seven weeks. The player will join the group trainings after completing this program.”
The news will come as a blow to new coach Jorge Jesus. He would have identified Al-Khaibri, who has played 21 times for Al-Hilal since joining from Al-Shabab, as one of his key lieutenants. He has won 33 caps for his country, the last of which came in the 3-0 friendly lost to Peru last month.
Al-Hilal get their season underway with an Arab Club Champions Cup game against Al-Shabab on Aug. 7 and then play Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup before they kick off the league season against Al-Feiha on Aug. 31.
Also on the injury front, key playmaker Nawaf Al-Abed is following a “preventative program” as he bids to works his way back from a lower abdominal injury. He has not played since Jan. 8 and missed out on the World Cup because he was not fit enough.
Midfielder Ahmad Ashraf is also on the road to recovery following surgery on his lower abdominal muscles while defender Abdullah Al-Hafith is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury.
The good news, though, is that Carlos Eduardo, the star Brazilian, is back in full training following the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained last year.
Al-Hilal suffer a blow after key international midfielder undergoes surgery
Al-Hilal suffer a blow after key international midfielder undergoes surgery
- Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri has a knee operation
- News is a setback for new coach Jorge Jesus
Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension
- Garcia is set to headline LIV Golf’s first all-Spanish lineup, with young stars Puig and Ballester coming off major international victories
SPAIN: Fireballs GC of the LIV Golf league have solidified their roster for the 2026 season, highlighted by the return of team captain Sergio Garcia, who has signed a multi-year extension. The Spanish legend will lead a team that includes fellow countrymen and young stars David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu in the league’s first all-Spanish lineup.
“Returning to Fireballs GC and LIV Golf reinforces everything we are building,” Garcia said. “With David and Josele playing well in 2025 and Luis joining the team for 2026, our identity and competitive edge are stronger than ever, rooted in pride, purpose, and our collective emotional connection to the game of golf. LIV Golf continues to set the pace globally, and I’m committed to leading this group as we push forward and keep raising the standard.”
Garcia delivered another elite season as captain in 2025, ranking ninth in the individual standings, his third top-10 finish in four LIV Golf seasons. He won his third start of the season in Hong Kong, becoming one of only three players to capture LIV Golf victories in each of the last two seasons, and continued to serve as the heartbeat and stabilizing force of a young, rising roster.
The Fireballs’ roster confirmation follows a highly successful 2025 season in which the team finished third in the regular-season standings — their highest placement since 2022 — while recording three consecutive team victories in Adelaide, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team finished inside the points in 11 of 13 events, underscoring its consistency across LIV Golf’s global schedule.
Puig returns to build on his success since turning pro to join LIV Golf in 2022, with worldwide wins in each of the last three years, including last month’s Australian PGA Championship. The Spaniard has enjoyed a rapid ascent in LIV Golf, producing his first top-24 finish in 2025 while earning points in each of his 12 regular-season starts, joining LIV star Jon Rahm as the only two players to accomplish that feat. The 24-year-old also notched four top-10 results on his way to proving his status as one of LIV’s most promising young talents.
Ballester emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing young talents after joining Fireballs GC midseason in 2025. The 22-year-old and former U.S. Amateur champion posted his first podium finish after making the playoff at LIV Golf Chicago and, most recently, he secured his first professional victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.
Masaveu returns to Fireballs GC after making eight starts in the 2025 season and contributing to the team’s three consecutive wins. A former standout amateur who has continued to establish himself at the professional level, the 23-year-old Masaveu brings high-level competitive experience and familiarity with LIV Golf’s team environment. His return adds depth and continuity to a roster anchored by proven leadership and rising young talent, further strengthening Fireballs GC as it builds toward long-term excellence in 2026.
“This year marked real growth for me, and a lot of that comes from learning every day alongside Sergio,” Puig said. “His experience, his standards, and the way he leads have helped me mature quickly. Being a part of the Fireballs has really accelerated my development, and I’m excited to build on the growth I’ve already seen.”
Fireballs GC enter the 2026 season as the only team to post at least one tournament victory in each of LIV Golf’s four seasons. They will start the season as one of the youngest teams, with a roster designed to contend for both team championships and individual honors.
