A sense of deep frustration prevailed among Al-Hilal's stars, most notably Portuguese star Ruben Neves, following the team's draw against Damac in the seventh round of the 2023-2024 Saudi Professional League. While a draw isn't a disastrous result in football, Neves and his teammates' reaction reflected the professionalism and high standards that now permeate the club.
Details of the incident and the general context
The match was held at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha. Al-Hilal entered the game as league leaders, looking to extend their winning streak. They took an early lead through Brazilian Malcom in the ninth minute, and it seemed the match was headed for another victory. However, Damac, under the guidance of their coach Cosmin Contra, showed great resilience and managed to equalize through their Romanian star Nicolae Stanciu with a well-executed free kick in the second half. The match ended 1-1, a result that Al-Hilal players and fans considered a defeat, especially given their dominance on the field and the numerous missed opportunities.
Background and significance of the event
This draw comes in the context of an exceptional season that Al-Hilal started strongly after a massive summer transfer window that saw the arrival of world-class players such as Neymar, Mitrovic, Savic, and Ruben Neves. These signings raised expectations sky-high, making it unacceptable for fans and players alike to drop any points. A winning mentality was paramount, and any result other than victory was met with dissatisfaction. The frustration displayed by Neves, known for his fighting spirit and leadership qualities since his time as captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, was not a mere passing reaction, but rather a clear indication of the club's ambition and desire to achieve a perfect season.
Expected impact and reflection on the season
Domestically, this incident served as an early wake-up call for the team. Instead of the draw negatively impacting the players' morale, it became a powerful motivator to get back on track. It could be said that the "anger" of Neves and his teammates was a symbolic turning point, after which Al-Hilal embarked on a stunning and historic winning streak, breaking world records for consecutive victories. This incident proved that the mentality of the team's stars is just as important as their technical skills. This insistence on perfection is what ultimately led the team to win the Saudi League title without a single defeat, in addition to winning the King's Cup and the Saudi Super Cup, in a season that will forever be etched in the club's history.
