Al Waleed bin Talal turned the global soccer market upside down in just 48 hours. The Saudi prince and the man directly in charge of Al Hilal managed to persuade Karim Benzema to walk away from his commitment to Al Ittihad and, without paying a transfer fee, bring the French forward to the Riyadh club on a one-and-a-half-year contract.
At the same time, the move triggered one of the strangest episodes in modern soccer for Al Hilal’s great rival – and the prince’s personal nemesis – Al Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star and team talisman was left in the stands as a form of protest against what both the player and the club see as an unequal treatment. Ronaldo’s anger goes further still and he appears ready to bring his time in Saudi Arabia to an end. For now, he chose not to train on Tuesday.
In concrete terms, there are seven reasons behind the move and Ronaldo’s frustration – namely, each and every player signed by Al Hilal during the winter transfer window. They are Meité ($32.4m, Stade Rennes), Boubaré ($24.8m, Neom), Al Hawsawi ($9m, Al Khaalej), Mandash ($3.7m, Al Taawoun), Marí ($2.2m, Fiorentina), Benzema (free, Al Ittihad) and Al Dossary (free, Al Khaalej). By contrast, Al Nassr made just two signings: the Iraqi midfielder Abdulkareem and the domestic player Al Hamdan, who arrived from Al Hilal.
The fallout from all this has reinforced the arguments of those who claim the Saudi league shows a clear bias toward Al Hilal, aided by government intervention. Benzema’s new club is the dominant force – and the one that has long enjoyed the favor of the Saudi royal family.
Who is Al Waleed bin Talal?
Ownership of Al Hilal was transferred to Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, for $1.85bn, granting him 100% control. He is regarded as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, and sources within the Saudi league have said that the $75.8m spent in this transfer window came entirely from his own pocket – a fact that has done nothing to ease Cristiano Ronaldo’s discontent.
kingYj
0
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target
And how is that your problem if he wants more? is inter Miami not signing more stars? is there a limit to the number of stars a club should have? Think before you type
peah_jr46899
0
just imagine how an adult like you would open his mouth and speak such words.. After the signing of Leo Messi at Inter Miami , we clearly saw the arrival of Jordi Alba, luiz Suarez, Busquet, De Paul and lots of other superstars.. If u don't like Ronaldo, at least don't pretend to be blind
So to you Mr. Man that can see, who is Mané, Felix, Coman, Brozovic, Simakan, Martinez, Bento and even the already departed Jhon Duran and Anderson Talisca?
mehbdknyz
3
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target
in football every individual need a super star in there respective fields... without that an individual star is not enough weather it Messi or Cr7 etc.
Jabacnostu
0
Untill signing Benzema, Al Hilal do not have a player of Mane's level not to talk of Cristiano. Of players Al Hilal signed they are less than 1/3 of Cristiano's wage package. And how about players like Felix, Coman and the former Al Hilal winning coach Al Nassr have signed? All I can say is that Al Hilal act more smart in signing players than Al Nassr...
OlumideFestus7
2
because him alone will play has a defender and midfielder and goalkeeper 🙄 you are too dumb bro 🤣 🙄
Dahceikmo
0
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target
have said this before Rolando will only succeed in big teams.from. sporting,,to man u to real Madrid,...to Juventus..make him play for average team .
Mebcenprt
1
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target
senseless human being
susabcimsy
2
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target
just imagine how an adult like you would open his mouth and speak such words.. After the signing of Leo Messi at Inter Miami , we clearly saw the arrival of Jordi Alba, luiz Suarez, Busquet, De Paul and lots of other superstars.. If u don't like Ronaldo, at least don't pretend to be blind
KeamPen
0
Why do you think Argentina called all the best players to help them win the World Cup?? Every body needs superstars in their team to win something, regardless of individual performance no one can carry the team alone.
Wtf is your logic about?🤦🏻♂️
Franceg77
3
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target
Why do you think Argentina called all the best players to help them win the World Cup?? Every body needs superstars in their team to win something, regardless of individual performance no one can carry the team alone.
tipbcertz
1
this is a clear distinction between the Real GOAT and Ronaldo. How do see yourself as a goat when you are still relying on superstars to reach your target