Al-Hilal president Fahd Bin Nafel refused to comment on the possibility of signing Lionel Messi
Fans of Al-Hilal are eagerly hoping for the possibility of signing Lionel Messi, but the club's president, Fahd Bin Nafel, has remained tight-lipped on the subject. In an interview after Al-Hilal's victory in the King's Cup final in Jeddah, Bin Nafel refused to comment on the transfer rumours, stating that his club is "more important than just one player."
"The group is more important to me than a player," Bin Nafel said on the pitch as fans chanted "Messi, Messi." "Any star who comes to our club should know that we are a big club. We aim to improve the team… If you focus on one person, you lose the group."
Al-Hilal, based in Riyadh, has been coached by former Argentinian international striker Ramon Diaz since February 2022, after his first stint with the team between October 2016 and February 2018.
Messi, a World Cup winner and record seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, has reportedly been offered an "enormous" financial opportunity by the Gulf state of Saudi Arabia. After two unexceptional years at Paris Saint-Germain, the 35-year-old could potentially join his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi league as the Gulf state lavishes its oil wealth on sport.
While the prospect of signing Messi is undoubtedly exciting for Al-Hilal fans, Bin Nafel's focus on the team as a whole indicates a more measured approach. He seems to be aware of the danger of over-reliance on one player and the importance of maintaining team chemistry.
The reluctance of the club's president to comment on the transfer rumours may also be a sign that negotiations are still ongoing, and the club is keeping its cards close to its chest. Bin Nafel's statement that "If anything comes out from our media centre, you will get it" suggests that the club will announce any developments in its own time, rather than responding to media speculation.
Ultimately, the decision to sign Messi will likely come down to a balance between financial considerations and the club's strategic goals. While the allure of having one of the greatest footballers of all time on their team is undoubtedly tempting, Al-Hilal's leadership will need to weigh the potential benefits against the risks of upsetting team chemistry and disrupting the existing hierarchy.
For now, fans will have to wait and see whether Al-Hilal will be able to secure the signing of Messi, or whether the Argentine superstar will end up elsewhere. But regardless of the outcome, the buzz surrounding the possibility of one of the greatest players in history coming to the Saudi league is sure to generate excitement and interest among football fans around the world.
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