Victor Simões: Ronaldo is the best and my departure from Al Ahly was a deep wound
In an exclusive interview, Brazilian striker Victor Simões, one of the most prominent goalscorers in the history of Al-Ahli Saudi Club, opens his heart to talk about his immortal memories with “Al-Raqui”, revealing the wound of his departure that has not healed after years, and offering his insightful vision about the major transformations that the Saudi Professional League is currently witnessing.
A golden era and a painful end with the Castle of Cups
Al-Ahli fans still fondly remember Victor Simões' time with the club between 2009 and 2014. During those years, the Brazilian striker became an attacking icon, scoring 80 goals that placed him among the club's all-time top scorers. His relationship with the club wasn't just about numbers; it was a mutual love affair with the fans who chanted his name for so long. However, this illustrious career ended in a painful and unexpected way. Simões says with regret, "The hardest moment for me was leaving through the back door of the club to which I gave my body, soul, and heart. I had hoped for a farewell befitting my career, but that didn't happen." He indicated that the decisions of the then-coach, the Portuguese Vítor Pereira, were a major reason for his exclusion and the abrupt end to his career, which he considers the deepest wound in his footballing journey.
The Saudi League: Then and Now... Ronaldo Changed Everything
When Simões speaks about his experience in Saudi stadiums, the Jeddah derby matches against Al-Ittihad stand out as his most cherished memories. He describes them, saying: “Al-Ittihad was the toughest team I faced because of the great history between us. I couldn't sleep the night before the match because of the intense excitement, and thank God I never lost a game against them.”.
The rise of global stars and its impact
The Saudi league has undergone a radical transformation since Simões' departure, a development the Brazilian player has been following with fascination. The arrival of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in late 2012 had the most significant impact on this change. This historic transfer paved the way for a constellation of global football stars, such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mané, raising the league's technical and marketing value to unprecedented levels. Simões commented on this development, saying, "Everything in the Saudi league changed for the better after Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, and today Saudi Arabia is reaping the rewards of this progress." He added that the transfer of big stars between major clubs has become possible, expressing his shock at the transfer of a player of Karim Benzema's stature, as it was considered unthinkable during his time for a star to move between rival clubs.
Messages from the heart and future aspirations
Despite his retirement, Simoes remains deeply connected to football and dreams of returning to his first club, Al-Ahli, in a technical or administrative role in the future. He also sent a message to the current Al-Ahli players and fans, wishing them success in winning the AFC Champions League and competing strongly for the league title, emphasizing that a winning mentality is the defining characteristic of anyone who wears the jersey of this great club. In closing, he expressed his gratitude to the Al-Ahli fans, saying, “Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I love you all.”.
