The decision by Saudi club Al-Hilal to exclude its Brazilian player Michael Delgado from its local roster for the Saudi Roshan League has sparked controversy about the player’s future with “Al-Za’eem” (the leader), and opened the door to widespread speculation about the possibility of his departure during the upcoming transfer window.
This administrative and technical decision came after Al-Hilal signed Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi from Olympique Marseille during the winter transfer window. According to Saudi Arabian Football Federation regulations, which allow only eight foreign players to be registered in each team's squad for domestic competitions, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus had to sacrifice one of his foreign stars to register the new arrival, and Michael was ultimately chosen.
General context and background of the decision
The Saudi Professional League has witnessed a massive influx of international stars since the summer of 2023, raising the level of competition to unprecedented heights. In this context, major clubs like Al-Hilal are constantly striving to strengthen their squads to achieve their goals both domestically and continentally. The left-back position was a priority for Jorge Jesus, and the signing of Lodi, formerly of Atlético Madrid, was intended to fill this gap. However, this defensive reinforcement came at the expense of the attack, as Michael, a key and influential player in the team thanks to his speed and exceptional individual skills that trouble opposing defenses, was dropped.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Despite being excluded from the domestic squad, Michael remains registered in the AFC Champions League squad, meaning his role with the team is not entirely over this season. This decision demonstrates the importance Al Hilal places on continental competition, as they aim to reclaim the Asian title. However, limiting a player of Michael's stature and value to just one tournament may not be satisfactory for him in the long run.
Domestically, Al-Hilal will lose a key element in its attacking options, which could affect the team's tactical flexibility in some matches. As for the player himself, the decision reportedly upset him and prompted him to seriously consider his future. Brazilian clubs, most notably his former club Flamengo and Grêmio, have begun closely monitoring his situation with a view to making offers for him this summer. The upcoming summer transfer window is likely to be decisive in determining the Brazilian star's destination, whether he remains in Riyadh or returns to his homeland in search of more regular playing time.
