“Not Affected by His Absence” – Despite Considering Neymar ‘Important,’ Al Hilal CEO Issues Suprising Statement

Al Hilal spent over $400 million on Brazilian superstar Neymar, to project him as the face of the team. But the million-dollar dream did not materialize this season. The 31-year-old is still recovering from an ACL injury, which he tore in October 2023, while playing for Brazil. With regards to image and marketing, the superstar’s absence cost the Saudi giants heavily. “His injury was painful for us,” said Hilal’s newly-appointed CEO Esteve Calzada. On the flip side, Calzada interestingly does not think the Brazilian’s injury is marring the team’s run in the league.

Calzada joined Al Hilal after catapulting City Football Group to massive success during his 12-year stint as the Chief Commercial Officer. As the Spanish executive aims to replicate similar success in Saudi, soccer circles wonder if Neymar will be a part of his project.

Calzada pivots attention to Al Hilal’s 19 consecutive wins, apart from Neymar’s absence

In a recent conversation, Esteve Calzada was asked if Neymar is important to the Al Hilal project he is going to lead. As expected from a top-notch executive, the Spaniard took the diplomatic route. “His injury was painful for us. He is an important player, but it is clear that we were not affected by his absence. We won 19 consecutive matches,” Esteve Calzada said. While maintaining such an impressive winning streak across competitions, Al Hilal has not tasted defeat even once in the ongoing Saudi League. In short, they’re dominating.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. at Al Nassr is the second seed. But they are seven points behind Hilal, and they’ve lost three matches. Such a dominance clearly proves Calzada right. Furthermore, Neymar’s absence is not felt because the Riyadh-based side houses lethal goal scorers such as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Salem Aldawasari. However, the 18-time Saudi League winners are relentlessly searching for a player who could replace Neymar. Who’s on the radar?

Al Hilal has shortlisted 3 names to replace their Brazilian icon

Ever since the winter transfer window dawned, Al Hilal has been searching the Premier League, Bundesliga, and the MLS to find Neymar’s replacement. MLS’ Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga is on Calzada’s team’s radar. The LAFC winger could potentially replace Neymar in the flanks. Other than forwards, Calzada, and Co. are also trying to lure attacking full-backs who can vitalize the team’s offense from much deeper, from out wide.

READ MORE: Al Hilal Offer $22M Deal to Neymar’s NT Colleague as Quest for His Replacement Continues

Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne and Bayern Munich’s Raphael Guerreiro are two candidates that the Saudi side is pursuing. While Neymar’s injury has not taken a toll on the team’s league run, they would surely want to compensate for what the Brazilian could have done, if he was fit. Since the star striker is ruled out for the remainder of the season, the Riyadh-based club’s hunt for a replacement is quite unsurprising.

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