Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves recently revealed that he was on the verge of joining either Arsenal or Barcelona last summer before ultimately deciding on a move to Saudi Arabia.
Neves, who was in the final year of his contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers, expressed a strong desire to join a team competing for major trophies, which attracted attention from some of Europe’s elite clubs.
Despite the interest from Arsenal and Barcelona, it was Al Hilal who secured Neves’ services, agreeing to a transfer fee of £47 million. However, Neves has now admitted that he was disappointed to miss out on a move to one of these European giants.
In an interview with O Jogo, he shared his feelings about the near-transfers and his eventual decision to move to the Middle East. “I was close to three clubs and it ended up not happening, which saddened me and helped me make the decision to go to Al Hilal,” Neves confessed. “I didn’t want to mention names, but Barcelona was one of the hottest and it wasn’t a lie.
It was close to happening, just like with Arsenal. Then there was another club outside England. These were events that happened and then, with this golden opportunity, I had no doubts about accepting it. I was already hardened by transfers that didn’t happen.”
At just 26 years old, Neves remains open to the idea of returning to Europe in the future but emphasized that he is in no hurry to leave Saudi Arabia.
He insisted that playing in the Saudi Pro League does not diminish his capabilities or standing compared to his peers in Europe. “Playing in Saudi doesn’t make me feel any different compared to my colleagues in Europe,” Neves continued. “My physical capacity is great. I’m on track to, one day, be able to return to Europe and play at the highest level.”
Neves also highlighted the growing competitiveness and quality of the Saudi Pro League, suggesting that it could become one of the world’s top leagues within a few years. “To be honest, I don’t plan on returning anytime soon. Taking this path, Saudi could have one of the most important leagues in the world within two years.
There is no secret: the quality of the players that arrive is extremely high. If each team bets on eight foreigners of that level, this almost becomes a PlayStation championship, in which we can choose the players at will. I believe I will be here in two years and, who knows, even a little longer.”
Since joining Al Hilal, Neves has made a significant impact on the pitch, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 28 appearances. His contributions have helped Al Hilal establish a seven-point lead over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.
Neves’ journey reflects both his adaptability and ambition. While he missed out on joining top European clubs, his positive outlook and commitment to Al Hilal indicate his readiness to embrace new challenges and contribute to the rising standards of football in Saudi Arabia.
His career trajectory remains open, and his performances in the Saudi Pro League suggest that a return to Europe, when it happens, will be eagerly anticipated. For now, Neves is focused on his current adventure, contributing to the growth and success of Al Hilal in a rapidly evolving league.
