Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada has addressed rumors linking the club with a sensational move for Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that signing the Portuguese star from their "eternal rivals" Al Nassr would represent "a very unusual situation."
In a recent interview with Diario AS, Calzada compared the intense rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al Nassr to that of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, suggesting that such a transfer would be highly unconventional.
"At the end of the day, Al Nassr is like Atlético and Al-Hilal is like Madrid. It would be a very unusual situation to strengthen your team with a player from your eternal rival," Calzada explained.
Rivalry Dynamics in Saudi Football
The comments come amid speculation that Al-Hilal had been considering a shock move for Ronaldo ahead of the Club World Cup. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner currently serves as captain for Al Nassr, further complicating any potential transfer between the Saudi Pro League rivals.
Ronaldo's current contract with Al Nassr is set to expire at the end of June, potentially opening the door for negotiations with other clubs. However, Calzada's remarks suggest that Al-Hilal would be reluctant to pursue the 39-year-old superstar due to the clubs' fierce rivalry.
The Saudi Pro League has witnessed significant growth in recent years, attracting numerous high-profile international players. The rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al Nassr has intensified as both clubs compete for domestic and continental supremacy.
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