Abhay Singh
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman faced criticism from Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada on Thursday for what was perceived as underestimating the caliber of the Saudi Pro League.
This critique arose following Koeman’s decision to exclude winger Steven Bergwijn from the team due to the player’s recent transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Calzada’s remarks shed light on a potential disconnect in perceptions about the quality of football in Saudi Arabia, highlighting differing viewpoints within the international football community.
Bergwijn joined Al Ittihad from Ajax
After moving from Ajax Amsterdam to Al Ittihad last month, 27-year-old Bergwijn came under fire from Koeman, who declared that the player was no longer eligible for international selection.
The Dutch coach, according to former Manchester City executive Calzada, undervalued the Saudi Premier League.
Over the past two years, the league has spent a significant amount of money luring elite players from around Europe, with assistance from the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Calzada said “As someone that lives in the country, loves the country and values the quality of the product that we put out there, I didn’t like those statements, I think this is just not fair. It’s not right. And actually, if you look at the players that have come to Saudi, most of them continue to go with their national teams.”
“You’ve got (Aymeric) Laporte, for instance, (became) champion of Europe with Spain having come to Saudi. Most of the players continue to be called by national teams, Ruben Neves (Portugal) in our case, even (Al Nassr’s) Cristiano (Ronaldo), (Morocco’s) Bono our goalkeeper – all of them continue to be called up.” He added.
“I’m just so sorry for the Dutch players”
Calzada also added “That’s why that came a bit out of the blue, and probably out of a lack of knowledge of the value and the quality of the league, because if you watch matches, or you come and see the facilities, they are up to European standards. So I’m just so sorry for the Dutch players, because it’s clearly an exception.”
The Spaniard expressed his optimism that Neymar, the 90 million euro ($97.48 million) acquisition, will soon resume playing after missing nearly a year due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture sustained during a Brazil World Cup 2026 qualifying match.
He said “The only thing that I can say is that I have seen him training regularly with his teammates, and now, after the international break, there’s a run of matches, Sadly, if he has to play, he cannot play (in) the league because he’s not registered, but certainly he can play in the (Asian) Champions League.”
With six points from two games, Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus’ Al Hilal leads Group B in the Asian Champions League Elite. On Monday, the team takes on Al Ain.
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