In an official statement, Mr. Steve Kazada, CEO of Al-Hilal Saudi Club, confirmed that Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves has made a firm decision to remain with the club, rejecting lucrative offers from major European clubs recently. This confirmation puts an end to speculation surrounding the player's future and demonstrates his commitment to Al-Hilal's ambitious sporting project.
Background of the deal and its impact on the Saudi League
Ruben Neves' transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 marked a turning point in the global transfer market. While most major deals in the Saudi league had focused on players in the twilight of their careers, Neves arrived at the peak of his powers at the age of 26, sending a powerful message that the Saudi Professional League had become an attractive destination for stars at the height of their careers, not just a final stop. This transfer, along with others, ushered in a new era aimed at raising the level of competition and technical quality in Saudi football.
Kazada's statements and the importance of Neves staying
In an interview with the renowned Spanish newspaper AS, Casada praised Neves's outstanding performance, saying, "Ruben Neves, whose contract we renewed, has been phenomenal. He received lucrative offers from top European clubs, but he chose to stay here." Casada added that the experience of the first players to join the league was crucial in attracting more stars, stating, "Once the first wave arrived, the rest followed more easily. The players talk amongst themselves and hear that life here is fantastic, that families are settling in well, and that the infrastructure is world-class, unlike in previous years.".
Local and regional impact of the decision
Neves's staying is a major victory not only for Al-Hilal, but for the entire Saudi Arabian football project. Domestically, Al-Hilal secures the continued presence of one of its most important pillars in coach Jorge Jesus's squad, a player who directly contributed to the team's historic treble-winning season without a single defeat. Regionally and internationally, a player of Neves's caliber's decision to remain reinforces the reputation of the Saudi league as a competitive and stable environment capable of retaining its world-class talent, thus enhancing its appeal to other stars in the future and strengthening the position of Saudi clubs in continental tournaments such as the AFC Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
