Al-Hilal CEO Dismisses Ronaldo Loan Speculation Ahead of Club World Cup

The chief executive of Al-Hilal has ruled out any possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo on a short-term basis, describing such a move as illogical given the forward’s allegiance to their arch-rivals, Al-Nassr.

Earlier this month, FIFA introduced an extra transfer window for clubs competing in the newly expanded Club World Cup in the United States. That triggered speculation linking Al-Hilal with a sensational loan swoop for the 40-year-old Portugal star, whose contract with Al-Nassr expires at the end of June.

But speaking to BBC Sport, Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada made it clear that such a deal was never seriously considered.

“As much as I respect Ronaldo as a legend of the game, it makes no sense to bring in the most iconic player of your fiercest rival — even for just a few weeks,” Calzada said. “It’s counter-intuitive.”

He added that due to the unusual nature of the short transfer window, the club opted against making any rushed or short-sighted decisions that could affect squad dynamics beyond the tournament.

Big Names Considered, But Only If the Fit Is Right
While Al-Hilal did not make any marquee signings ahead of the competition, Calzada revealed that the club remains ambitious and open to targeting elite-level talent — but only under the right conditions.

“We’re always looking to improve the squad, but players must be genuinely motivated to join, not just driven by financial offers,” he said. “We are targeting top talents, but we won’t overpay or chase names without mutual interest.”

Recent reports have linked Al-Hilal with major players such as Darwin Núñez, Victor Osimhen, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes — who admitted turning down a lucrative offer to stay in Europe.

Although Calzada declined to confirm specific transfer targets, he stressed the club’s growing pulling power.

“The calibre of players we’re associated with reflects our ambitions. Today, we can make a pitch to almost any player in world football.”

Neymar’s Legacy and Inzaghi’s Arrival Signal New Era
Reflecting on Al-Hilal’s blockbuster signing of Neymar — who departed after just seven appearances due to injury — Calzada insisted there were no regrets.

“It’s unfortunate he got injured, but the criticism is often unfair. Many of his injuries stemmed from aggressive tackles. His arrival gave us a massive global boost.”

Despite a disappointing end to the domestic season, where Al-Hilal finished eight points behind champions Al-Ittihad and exited the Asian Champions League semi-finals, Calzada is optimistic about the future under new manager Simone Inzaghi.

The former Inter Milan boss was appointed shortly after guiding his side to the UEFA Champions League final.

“His signing was the result of months of planning. He was always our top choice,” said Calzada. “Now, we expect him to lead us back to the top and reclaim our championship status.”

Al-Hilal will begin their Club World Cup campaign with a high-profile clash against Real Madrid, in a repeat of the 2022 final.

“We’re not here for show,” Calzada added. “This is an opportunity to test our strength on a global stage — and we’re aiming to win.”