From Benfica Bench to Saudi Stardom: Marcos Leonardo’s Epic Redemption Against Manchester City
When Benfica shelled out a significant sum for the promising 20-year-old Marcos Leonardo from Santos, they confidently embedded a €150 million release clause in his contract. The assumption was clear: his prodigious talent would soon ignite Europe’s elite in a bidding frenzy. Yet, his tenure in Portugal hardly caught fire, and before long, he found himself on a flight to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Hilal as one of the youngest Brazilian imports in the burgeoning league.
But Leonardo’s European dreams weren’t merely deferred; they dramatically reignited in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. In a stunning 4-3 thriller, Al-Hilal accomplished the unthinkable, toppling Pep Guardiola’s full-strength Manchester City. It was Leonardo who blasted home the decisive winner, his ecstatic celebration accidentally tearing his shirt in a moment of raw, unbridled joy. He had also netted Al-Hilal’s crucial first equalizer, showcasing a clinical precision that has become a rare commodity in modern European football, potentially turning heads back across the continent.
A High-Stakes Duel: Manchester City Pushed to Their Limits
This electrifying victory wasn’t just a friendly; it was a potent symbol of the Saudi Pro League’s rapidly ascending quality, even if Guardiola’s reigning champions weren’t at their customary razor-sharp best. Manchester City squandered a flurry of golden opportunities, with star names like Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and Savinho all failing to convert highly presentable chances.
Yet, to attribute the outcome solely to City’s misfires would be a disservice to Al-Hilal’s formidable performance. The Saudi giants displayed a relentless energy and tactical acumen that genuinely impressed their world-renowned opponent.
Pep Guardiola’s Frank Assessment: Al-Hilal’s Unyielding Quality
Perhaps the most significant validation came directly from the tactical maestro himself, Pep Guardiola. Post-match, the Manchester City manager offered candid praise for the victors. “Al-Hilal has a lot of quality,” he stated, his words carrying considerable weight. “They are a complete team that can run and run – I have a big opinion of them.”
Guardiola further elaborated on the challenges his side faced, particularly their opponents’ devastating counter-attacks. “When the crosses arrived, in the first action, they had the ability to pass the ball and attack and they have quick players,” he analyzed. “We created a lot and had a lot of chances against a team that defend so deep. They punished us on the transitions.” This acknowledgment from one of football’s greatest minds underscores Al-Hilal’s strategic brilliance and athletic prowess.
Simone Inzaghi’s “Mount Everest” Triumph: A New Era Dawns
For Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi, who had taken the club’s reins just three weeks prior, the victory was almost beyond words. Overwhelmed with pride, he likened his team’s heroic effort to an impossible feat. “Tonight we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are, we knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.”
Inzaghi, while acknowledging Guardiola as “the best coach in the world,” firmly asserted his team’s deserving win. “Tonight we did our best and we deserved the result. We were great. All the players were exceptional in everything, in the possession phase, non-possession phase.” It was a testament to the collective spirit and rapid adaptation under their new leadership.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s Bold Declaration: Proving Their Worth on the Global Stage
Adding to the chorus of celebration, Al-Hilal’s towering centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who himself sealed the dramatic win with a powerful 94th-minute header, spoke of his team’s unwavering ambition. “We knew that it was one of the difficult games against one of the best of the best teams in the world,” he told reporters. “We wanted to show ideas, our talent, and I think that we made a very good game, defensively we were very strong, and offensively we used all the opportunities that came our way.”
Koulibaly’s words resonated with a broader message: this wasn’t just a fluke. “But after we know we are done yet, we still have to continue on believing, we showed a lot of mentality, and we can be happy because we are back in our principle,” he added, emphasizing the team’s commitment to proving themselves as a consistent force on the international football stage. This historic win against a European titan could very well be the defining moment for Al-Hilal and, indeed, the entire Saudi Pro League.
