Some news sources recently reported that Saudi club Al-Hilal had granted permission for young Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo to travel to Spain, paving the way for his transfer to Atlético Madrid during the winter transfer window. Despite the widespread circulation of this news, closer examination reveals inaccuracies that require clarification and correction based on established facts in the global transfer market.
The true context of Marcus Leonardo's career
Marcos Leonardo, the promising striker who rose to prominence with Brazilian club Santos, was never a player for Al-Hilal. His outstanding performances and impressive goal-scoring ability attracted the attention of several major European clubs throughout last summer and the 2024 winter transfer window. After lengthy negotiations, he finalized his move to Portuguese club Benfica from Santos, a transfer aimed at developing his career in Europe. Therefore, the notion that he was "out of favor with the Al-Hilal coach" or that "the club allowed him to leave" is fundamentally unfounded.
Al-Hilal's strategy in the winter transfer window
On the other hand, Al-Hilal, under the leadership of its Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus (not Simone Inzaghi as some erroneous reports suggested), follows a clear strategy in the transfer market. During the last winter transfer window, the club focused on strengthening its squad in specific positions, most notably by signing Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi from Olympique de Marseille. This signing was intended to bolster the team's defense and utilize the foreign player slot that became available after the long-term injury suffered by star player Neymar Jr. Al-Hilal's management had no intention of letting go of any of its key foreign players; rather, the focus was on adding quality players to maintain its lead in the Saudi Professional League and compete strongly in the AFC Champions League.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The spread of such rumors highlights the global prominence Saudi clubs, particularly Al-Hilal, have achieved in the transfer market. News about the Saudi league has become a focus of international media attention, creating a fertile ground for speculation and unconfirmed reports. Linking a promising player like Marcos Leonardo to both Al-Hilal and Atlético Madrid simultaneously reflects the significant overlap between the European and Saudi transfer markets. Although this specific deal did not materialize, it demonstrates how the Saudi league has become a key player in the equation of international player transfers, both as an attractive destination for stars and as a potential stepping stone for players to major European clubs.
