A moment between Al Hilal Saudi Club defender Ali Al-Bulayhi and his teammate, Brazilian full-back Renan Lodi, has sparked controversy on social media after the match between Al Hilal and Al Ahli Jeddah at the "Jewel" stadium.
Footage captured by fans in the stadium shows Lodi pulling a scarf from Al-Bulayhi after the referee blew the final whistle of the classic match, followed by Al-Bulayhi turning around and slapping him in the face. This incident has led to negative comments on social media, with many arguing that it was not a playful gesture.
The emotional exchange between the two Al Hilal players seemed to resolve quickly, as Lodi later shared a picture on his official Instagram account with Ali Al-Bulayhi.
Al-Bulayhi played a significant role in Al Hilal's dramatic victory over Al Ahli, winning 2-1 at the "Jewel" stadium in Jeddah on Monday, in a classic match postponed from the 28th round of the Roshan Saudi Professional League 2023-2024 season.
Meanwhile, various local and international reports have indicated that Renan Lodi is close to leaving the first-team squad of Al Hilal, following unsatisfactory performances since joining in January.
