Mitrovic Benched After Arrhythmia Scare
Shockwaves rippled through Al-Hilal's fanbase when news broke that Aleksandar Mitrovic, one of the Saudi Pro League's most prolific scorers, missed training on March 9, 2025, due to an irregular heartbeat diagnosis. Only two days earlier he had marked his return from a drawn-out hamstring injury by finding the net against Al Fayha, looking as dangerous as ever. But what seemed like a fairytale comeback was suddenly overshadowed by fresh health concerns.
Local media reports suggested Mitrovic's condition was serious enough to warrant a hospital visit, prompting wild speculation about his immediate future. The club swiftly confirmed the episode involved both fatigue and arrhythmias. Their medical staff didn't take any chances, pulling him from all training activity and subjecting him to close monitoring by cardiac specialists. Details on the exact cause or prognosis remain scant—Al-Hilal have kept a tight lid on updates, revealing only that Mitrovic's health is the top priority and his status is being checked daily.
Crunch Time for Al-Hilal as Key Match Looms
Timing couldn't be much worse for manager Jorge Jesus and his squad. Al-Hilal is staring down a critical fixture in the AFC Champions League—an elimination clash with Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan on March 11. Already trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Riyadh-based giants face an uphill struggle to keep their continental dreams alive. Normally, all eyes would be on Mitrovic to pull off the kind of heroics he's delivered since his €50 million arrival from Fulham in August 2023. Thirteen goals in just 14 league outings have made him the linchpin of Al-Hilal’s attack and a constant threat to any defense.
Now, with their Serbian talisman uncertain to feature, the pressure has amped up on the rest of Al-Hilal's offensive unit. Jesus must contemplate whether to risk fielding a player with recent health scares—an unattractive option given the club's long-term ambitions—or reshape his tactical approach at short notice. The staff have made it clear: there's no rushing Mitrovic back until they're satisfied the irregular heart rhythm has stabilized.
Mitrovic’s career has bounced him from Newcastle to Fulham to Riyadh, a journey marked by tenacity and a knack for timely goals. But this latest chapter is forcing both player and club to confront much bigger concerns than points or trophies. Fans, meanwhile, are left crossing their fingers that this scare proves only a blip—because for Al-Hilal, few things are more nerve-wracking than a crucial clash played without their main goal machine.
Jun, 3 2025