Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada has dismissed recent speculation linking the Saudi Pro League club with a short-term loan move for Cristiano Ronaldo, calling the idea “completely counter-intuitive” due to the player’s affiliation with arch-rivals Al-Nassr.
Speaking in Miami ahead of Al-Hilal’s FIFA Club World Cup opener against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Calzada addressed the possibility of signing the 40-year-old Portugal forward for the tournament.
“As much as I respect Ronaldo as a huge player, as we all recognise he is, it’s certainly completely counter-intuitive that you bring the biggest player of your biggest opponent to play with you, even more when it’s only for three to four weeks,” Calzada told BBC Sport.
Calzada explained the challenges of the brief, mid-season transfer window created for the tournament, stating that the club is focused on long-term decisions. “You don’t want to take a decision thinking about this tournament that then you have to carry on with for the next two or three years,” he said.
While a move for Ronaldo is off the table, the Al-Hilal chief confirmed the club’s ambition to sign world-class talent, referencing recent links to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. Earlier this month, Fernandes claimed he had rejected a significant offer from a Saudi club.
“I cannot confirm nor deny that we’ve been interested in him,” Calzada said of Fernandes. “He’s a big player, it fits the profile of player that we think would be good for Al-Hilal, just like many others… The names we are linked with demonstrate the ambition of the club. We believe that we are in a position to pitch [to] any players nowadays.”
Recent reports have also connected Al-Hilal with Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. While not commenting on specific names, Calzada affirmed their strategy: “We are targeting the biggest players. We are very ambitious, but we need to see hunger from the player himself and the transaction needs to work out both ways.” He cautioned, however, “The only thing we’ve been trying to remind players and agents is that yes, we are from Saudi, but we don’t print notes here! My role as CEO is to make sure we run the club efficiently… not at any cost.”
Calzada also reflected on the signing of Neymar, who left the club in January after an injury-plagued spell, stating there was “no regret at all.” He highlighted the “collateral positive effect” of the Brazilian’s arrival in boosting the club’s global profile and social media following, which he described as “a legacy that can stay with us.”
Looking ahead to their Club World Cup campaign under new coach Simone Inzaghi, Calzada expressed high hopes. After finishing second in the league last season, he said, “very simply what we expect from the new coach is that he helps us to win again.”
Al-Hilal’s match against Real Madrid on Wednesday is a repeat of the 2022 Club World Cup final, which Real Madrid won 5-3. “We’re not here to exchange shirts with Real Madrid players, or only for the exposure,” Calzada stated. “We have a very talented squad, with the addition of a world-renowned new coach… we go to the tournament with the maximum ambition.”
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