Cristiano Ronaldo was recently linked with a surprise short-term loan move to Saudi rivals Al-Hilal, but the club’s chief executive, Esteve Calzada, has now shut down the speculation, calling the idea “completely counter-intuitive.”
The rumour gained traction after FIFA introduced a special transfer window ahead of the expanded Club World Cup, creating an opportunity for clubs to temporarily strengthen their squads. Ronaldo, who is currently contracted to Al-Nassr until the end of June, was one of the names floated as a potential addition to Al-Hilal’s squad for the tournament.
But Calzada, speaking to BBC Sport, made it clear that signing a star player from their biggest domestic rival — even temporarily — made no strategic sense.
“As much as I respect Ronaldo as the huge player he is, it’s certainly completely counter-intuitive to bring in the top star of your biggest rival, and only for three to four weeks,” he said.
Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, both based in Riyadh, are fierce competitors in the Saudi Pro League, and both clubs are under the umbrella of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Despite the shared ownership, Calzada emphasized that competitive integrity and club identity still play a major role in transfer decisions.
He also addressed the chaotic nature of the unexpected transfer window:
“It’s been a very weird transfer window. A very short one. You don’t want to make a decision just for this tournament, then be stuck with it for the next two or three years,” he added.
Calzada explained that while Al-Hilal were open to reinforcing their squad, they faced challenges: some players were already in “holiday mode,” others demanded excessive wages, and ultimately, the club felt their current team remained highly competitive.
Looking ahead, Al-Hilal plan to focus on the traditional summer transfer window after the Club World Cup, with what Calzada described as “the biggest ambitions” to strengthen their squad further.
In short, while Ronaldo’s name might ignite headlines, Al-Hilal won’t be making a sensational move for their rival’s superstar — even if just for a few weeks.
