A debate has arisen among Al-Hilal fans regarding the future of young Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo , especially with the circulation of inaccurate reports about his exclusion from the team's matches. The truth is that the player was never part of the "Leader's" squad to begin with, so there was no need to exclude him. In fact, he was a primary target for the club during the last winter transfer window in a deal that ultimately fell through, resulting in the player's move to a European club.
General context: Al-Hilal's negotiations to sign the Brazilian talent
During the 2023-2024 winter transfer window, Al-Hilal entered into advanced negotiations with Brazilian club Santos to acquire the services of promising striker Marcos Leonardo. This interest stemmed from Al-Hilal's management's desire to bolster their attacking depth and secure the future of their forward line with a young talent capable of complementing Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrović. The negotiations reached an advanced stage, and numerous international and local reports indicated that the deal was close to completion, generating considerable excitement among the Saudi club's supporters.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
Leonardo's potential move to Al-Hilal was seen as a significant strategic step. Domestically, the deal would have given Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus an additional top-class attacking option, bolstering the team's strength in the Saudi Professional League and other domestic competitions. Continentally, the presence of a young striker of Leonardo's caliber would have boosted Al-Hilal's ambitions in the AFC Champions League. Internationally, signing a player of this stature would have reaffirmed the Saudi league's immense appeal and its ability to attract top young global talent, not just established stars.
Why did the deal fall through? The player's destination is Europe
Contrary to expectations, the player's career took a different turn. At the last minute, Marcos Leonardo opted to fulfill his dream of playing in Europe, choosing to join Portuguese club Benfica , a major gateway for Brazilian talents to Europe's biggest clubs. His decision was driven by his desire to develop his professional career in a highly competitive environment and adapt to European football at a young age. Therefore, all the rumors circulating about the player undergoing a rehabilitation program at Al-Hilal or being excluded by the coaching staff are completely unfounded, as the player has not officially signed with the Saudi club.
Currently, Al-Hilal Club continues its strong preparations to face its traditional rival, Al-Ittihad Club, in the twenty-second round of the Roshan Professional League, relying on its current list of stars to achieve victory and continue to lead the standings.
