Chief executive of Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal has dismissed speculation linking the club with a short-term loan move for Cristiano Ronaldo, calling the idea “completely counter-intuitive” due to the player’s ties with fierce rivals Al-Nassr.
Reports emerged suggesting Al-Hilal were considering a temporary deal for the 40-year-old Portuguese forward following FIFA’s introduction of a special transfer window ahead of the revamped Club World Cup. Both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund ,PIF, and with Ronaldo’s contract at Al-Nassr set to expire at the end of June, speculation intensified.
However, Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada made it clear that such a move was never seriously considered.
“We normally don’t comment on players’ situations because our name is often used when a player or agent wants to negotiate a better deal or force a move”, Calzada explained.
He described the current transfer window as “weird” and “very short”, making it risky to make hasty decisions that could have long-term consequences.
“As much as I respect Ronaldo as the legendary player he is, it would be completely counter-intuitive to bring in the biggest star of your biggest rival — even more so for just three to four weeks”, Calzada added.
The remarks effectively shut down any lingering hopes of seeing Ronaldo don Al-Hilal colours, especially ahead of the Club World Cup, as the club focuses on long-term strategy rather than short-term spectacle.
