The board of directors of Al-Hilal Saudi Club officially announced on Sunday the completion of the signing of veteran Spanish defender Pablo Mari from Italian club Fiorentina. This strategic move comes as part of Al-Hilal's efforts to strengthen its defense during the current winter transfer window, in preparation for the crucial competitions in the second half of the season.
A successful professional career spanning Europe and South America
Pablo Mari, 32, boasts a rich and varied football career that has honed his talent. The Spanish defender began his journey at Real Mallorca, then moved to Gimnàstic, before attracting the attention of Manchester City, who signed him in 2016. Despite not making a formal appearance for City, his real breakthrough came in Brazil with Flamengo, where he made history by winning the Brazilian league title and the Copa Libertadores in 2019, becoming the first Spaniard to achieve this feat.
Following his impressive performances in Brazil, Mari returned to Europe via Arsenal, contributing to the Gunners' FA Cup victory in 2020. He continued his journey in the Italian league, Serie A, with Udinese and then Fiorentina, where he consistently delivered performances that made him a target for major clubs.
Technical figures reflect defensive quality
Al-Hilal's choice of the Spanish defender was not arbitrary, but rather based on precise statistics reflecting his technical quality. During his time with Fiorentina, Mari recorded an exceptional passing accuracy of 91.9%, making him an ideal option for building attacks from the back. He also distinguished himself with his defensive solidity, averaging 2.23 interceptions and 3.4 clearances per 90 minutes, in addition to his dominance in aerial duels with a success rate exceeding 51%, benefiting from his impressive height of 1.92 meters.
Context of the deal and its impact on the Saudi League
This deal is particularly significant given the major transformation underway in the Saudi Professional League (the Roshan League), which has become a global destination attracting top football stars. Mari's arrival further enhances the league's market value and underscores the continued focus of Saudi clubs, especially Al-Hilal, on targeting internationally experienced players capable of making an immediate impact.
Domestically and continentally, the signing of Mari sends a clear message from Al-Hilal's management about their desire to maintain the team's strengths and compete strongly for all available titles. The player is expected to be a key pillar in coach Inzaghi's lineup, as he relies on European experience to solidify the team's defense, especially in highly tactical matches. This gives Al-Hilal fans great optimism about the team's defensive future.
