In exciting statements that caught the attention of the global sports community, Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes, captain of Manchester United's midfield, revealed the full details of the negotiations that took place between him and Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal club, highlighting the details of the tempting offer and his vision for the Roshan Professional League project.
Behind the scenes of Al-Hilal's communications and the Portuguese pressure
Fernandez confirmed that the interest from the Saudi side was not mere media speculation, but rather a serious and official move reflecting a genuine desire to acquire him. The Portuguese star explained that the president of Al-Hilal contacted him directly, demonstrating the high regard the Asian club holds for his abilities. The attempts didn't stop there; his Portuguese national teammate, Ruben Neves, the Al-Hilal midfielder, also intervened, sending him a personal message inviting him to join the Blue Wave, in an effort to persuade him to play alongside him in Riyadh.
Bruno indicated that the roots of these negotiations date back to 2023, when the veteran coach Jorge Jesus, then manager of Al-Hilal, first contacted him. The main objective behind this insistence was Al-Hilal's desire to strengthen its squad with a world-class star to compete strongly in the Club World Cup, which aligns with the club's strategy of continental and global dominance.
Conflicting feelings and the United management's stance
Speaking about his reasons for staying at Old Trafford, Fernandes explained that the decision was driven by purely family reasons, as well as his deep love for the Red Devils and his desire to continue competing in the Premier League. His conversation with the manager also played a role in encouraging him to stay.
However, Bruno revealed a surprising side of himself regarding his feelings towards the English club's management, expressing his hurt at the way the club handled the idea of his departure. He said bitterly, "I felt like the club was saying, 'If you leave, it won't be so bad for us.' That hurts a lot," reflecting an emotional rift that could affect the future of the relationship between the two parties.
The appeal of the Saudi project and changing lifestyle
The United captain made no secret of his admiration for the tremendous development of the Saudi league, believing that a move there could represent a significant positive shift on a personal and family level. He also addressed the living situation, saying, "My life will change, and my children will live happily in a different environment, after six years spent in Manchester amidst the cold and rain.".
These statements come at a time when the Saudi League is witnessing rapid growth and attracting the brightest stars of world football, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema, making the Roshan League the focus of the world’s attention and a preferred destination for many big players who are looking for new challenges and a distinguished standard of living.
