Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the face of the Saudi Pro League because of his performances this season and because of his star power. Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the world and is argued to be the best player in Saudi Arabia. Although the Saudi Pro League is happy to have Ronaldo in the league, the biggest clubs in the league apart from Al Nassr continue to feel ambitious ahead of the summer transfer window. According to O Jogo, Al Hilal wants to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao. The reports suggest that Leao’s father will travel to Saudi Arabia this week to negotiate with the club. Leao has a €175 million release clause, but it wouldn’t be an issue for the Saudi Pro League club. If Leao joins Al Hilal, he will be a straight rival for CR7 since Al Nassr and Al Hilal are rivals and compete against each other for trophies.
🚨🚨| NEW: Al Hilal wants to SIGN Rafael Leão... 🇸🇦✍️
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 23, 2024
Leão's father will travel to Saudi Arabia this week to negotiate with club. ✈️
The €175 million release clause won't be an issue for the Saudi club. 💸✅
[@ojogo] pic.twitter.com/DotmhbXXaL
The Saudi Pro League champions want Leao to arrive this summer, and the goal for this move is to have him in time for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which will take place in the United States. The Portuguese winger at AC Milan will reportedly be offered a very high salary, which will be difficult to refuse.
Leao is reportedly worth over $95 million, according to Transfermarkt, and the Portuguese’s contract with AC Milan expires in the summer of 2028. Leao made 46 appearances in all competitions this season with AC Milan, scoring 14 goals and assisting 14 goals. He joined the Italian giants in 2019, making a total of 209 matches, where he scored 57 goals and provided 50 assists.
@europaleague Rafael Leão is special 💫 #EuropaLeague #ACMilan
♬ original sound - Sigma 🗿
Al Hilal and Al Nassr will face each other again this season
The season in Saudi Arabia is still not over, as there are two more league matchdays. Al Hilal has already won the league and has two Saudi Pro League games left: against Al Taee and Al Wehda. Al Nassr will face Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad. On May 31st, the King’s Cup Final between Al Hilal and Al Nassr will take place, with Al Hilal hoping to lift a third trophy this season after winning the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi Super Cup.
