Al-Hilal star goalkeeper Yassine Bono suffered a muscle injury during the 6 AFC Champions League group stage round 2023 match against Iranian side Nassaji Mazandaran. The incident occurred in the 46th minute of a hard-fought encounter. Bono, the Moroccan international who has been a mainstay between the sticks for the defending champions, went down with an apparent muscle strain while attempting to make a routine save. Medical staff immediately rushed onto the pitch to assess the extent of the injury, and it soon became clear that Bono would not be able to continue.
In his place, Al-Hilal backup goalkeeper Habib Al-Wotayan was brought in to finish the game. Despite the setback of losing their first-choice goalkeeper, the Saudi giants managed to hold on for a narrow 2-1 win over their Iranian opponents. News of Bono's injury will no doubt be a major concern for the Al-Hilal coaching staff and fans. The 29-year-old has been instrumental in the team's success in recent years, helping them win the AFC Champions League title in 2022. His consistent performances and commanding presence in goal have made him one of the most beloved goalkeepers in the history of Asian football.
Yassine Bono's move from Sevilla to Al-Hilal last summer was a major coup for the Saudi giants, who paid a whopping €21 million to secure the services of the highly-rated Moroccan goalkeeper. The 29-year-old has quickly established himself as a vital cog in the Al-Hilal machine, with his commanding presence and shot-stopping abilities proving vital to the team's success. In the current 2023/24 season, Bono has already made 15 appearances in all competitions for his new club, conceding just six goals in the process. His solid performances have been a major factor in Al-Hilal’s fine start to the campaign, as they look to defend their AFC Champions League title and mount a strong challenge for domestic honours. Bono’s transition to life in the Saudi Pro League has been seamless, with the imposing goalkeeper quickly adapting to the demands of his new surroundings. His ability to organise the defence, read the game and make crucial interventions has endeared him to the Al-Hilal faithful, who have already taken the Moroccan shot-stopper to their hearts.
The former Sevilla player’s current contract with the club is set to run until the end of June 2026, ensuring that his long-term future remains with the Saudi giants. This provides a sense of stability and continuity for both the player and the club, with Bono likely to be a central figure in Al-Hilal’s plans for years to come. According to popular transfer website Transfermarkt, Bono’s current market value is estimated at around €11 million, which is a testament to his steadily rising standing in the world game. This valuation is a far cry from the €21 million Al-Hilal forked out to acquire his services, suggesting that the club have secured themselves a valuable asset for the long term. It is worth remembering that Bono’s impressive exploits in 2022 saw him finish 13th in the voting for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. His exploits between the sticks played a pivotal role in Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the Atlas Lions' surprising success owed in large part to the reliability and command of their star keeper.
