In what might go down as one of the shortest loan spells in football history, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah’s brief appearance for Al Hilal lasted just 15 minutes. The forward was brought in on an emergency loan from Al Shabab ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Hamdallah, Al Nassr’s third all-time top scorer and currently contracted to Al Shabab, joined Al Hilal only two days prior to their quarter-final match. The Saudi club utilized a FIFA provision that permits emergency player registrations within 48 hours of a match in case of injuries. With several key players including Aleksandar Mitrović, Michael and Salem Al Dawsari ruled out, Al Hilal turned to the experienced Moroccan forward for reinforcements.
However, Hamdallah’s involvement in the tournament proved fleeting. He came on as a substitute during Al Hilal’s match against Brazilian side Fluminense, playing only 15 minutes before the Saudi club suffered a defeat that ended their Club World Cup campaign.
Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged the urgency behind the short-term move, stating the team needed reinforcements. Following the early exit, Hamdallah is now set to return to Al Shabab as originally planned. The move resulted in mixed reactions among fans, with some welcoming his arrival while others recalled past tensions between the striker and Al Hilal supporters. Regardless of the sentiment, Hamdallah’s 15-minute loan stint has quickly become a talking point in football circles.