Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada says it will have been “a really uncommon state of affairs” for his membership to have signed Cristiano Ronaldo because the Portuguese ahead captains their “everlasting rival” Al Nassr.
The Saudi Professional League giants had been linked with a potential deal to signal Ronaldo in the course of the extra switch window that FIFA launched earlier this month due to the Membership World Cup. “And who have not they linked us with?” Calzada advised Diario As.
“Cristiano too, in fact. Nicely, we’re a bit like Actual Madrid in Saudi Arabia, we are the membership that everybody leaks tales about as a result of they is perhaps considering one thing … Generally it is true, however a variety of it is not. It jogs my memory of the early days of Manchester Metropolis … when it appeared like each participant had a suggestion from Metropolis. We have adopted a coverage of not commenting on rumors. On the finish of the day, Al Nassr [Cristiano’s former team] is like Atlético and Al Hilal is like Madrid.
“It will be a really uncommon state of affairs to strengthen your staff with a participant out of your everlasting rival.”
Ronaldo, 40, confirmed he had been courted by golf equipment competing within the Membership World Cup however the Portuguese ahead indicated he would proceed at Al Nassr past his present deal that expires on June 30.
Calzada, whose membership not too long ago appointed Simone Inzaghi as their head coach after the Italian supervisor left Inter Milan, haven’t made any main signings heading into the Membership World Cup.
They did strive, with Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes having revealed earlier this month that he turned down a “very bold” provide from Al Hilal. Nonetheless, Calzada insists many high gamers wish to be a part of Al Hilal.
“We have had top-level coaches who’ve provided their companies and insisted on coming, and the identical goes for high gamers,” Calzada mentioned.
“Prime, high gamers … And we have now a really, very robust squad. The optimistic factor about seeing so many massive names related to us is that individuals are not amazed or see it as one thing unimaginable, however somewhat suppose it is one thing that would occur, and that exhibits what sort of membership we’re.”
Calzada expects a really busy summer time for his membership within the switch window.
“When the competitors is over, we will be very energetic,” he mentioned. “We’re a really bold membership and we’re anticipated to win. We’re coming off a season the place we did not win the league. Despite the fact that we completed second, for us it is a failure.
“However opposite to what folks are likely to suppose, we have now budgets to stay to and we won’t do something loopy.”
Al Hilal completed runners-up to Al Ittihad this season having gained the Saudi Professional League title in 2023-24 underneath coach Jorge Jesus. Al Hilal start their Membership World Cup towards Ronaldo’s former membership Actual Madrid on Wednesday.
