Al-Hilal President Fahd Bin Nafel has declined to comment on the speculation surrounding Lionel Messi’s potential move to the Saudi Arabian club. Bin Nafel emphasized that Al-Hilal is more than just one player and refused to divulge any information when questioned by reporters after Al-Hilal’s victory in the King’s Cup final in Jeddah.
When asked about Messi, Bin Nafel simply stated, “Don’t ask me about Messi.” He made it clear that if there were any updates, they would be released through the club’s media center. Despite the crowd’s chants for Messi during an interview on the pitch, Bin Nafel reiterated that the team’s unity and collective effort were of utmost importance, emphasizing the significance of the group over an individual player.
Ramon Diaz, a former Argentine international striker, has been coaching Al-Hilal since February 2022. Diaz had a previous stint with the team from October 2016 to February 2018. Al-Hilal’s connection to Argentine football could potentially be a factor in the club’s pursuit of Messi.
Reports suggest that the Gulf region, specifically the oil-rich kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presents a lucrative financial opportunity for the 35-year-old Messi. After spending two years at Paris Saint-Germain, the prospect of joining Al-Hilal would provide Messi with an “enormous” financial package, according to a source close to the negotiations in Riyadh.
If the deal were to materialize, Messi would potentially find himself competing against his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays in the Saudi league. The Gulf state’s abundant oil wealth has enabled it to invest significantly in sports, attracting top-tier talent from around the world.
As fans eagerly await any official announcements, Al-Hilal’s president remains tight-lipped, prioritizing the unity and progress of the team over the individual pursuit of star players. While Messi’s potential move to Al-Hilal could significantly impact the club and the Saudi league, it is clear that Al-Hilal aims to strengthen the team as a whole, rather than relying solely on the arrival of one superstar.