The Al-Hilal superstar who once dreamed of Real Madrid move now stands against them
The Al-Hilal superstar who once dreamed of Real Madrid move now stands against them
As Real Madrid prepare to face Al Hilal in their FIFA Club World Cup opener, all eyes are not just on the Spanish giants, but also on one of their opponents' standout players, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Serbian midfielder, now 30, has become a key figure for Al Hilal, showing consistent brilliance since making the switch from Lazio.
Advertisement
Since joining the Saudi club, Milinkovic-Savic has already lifted four trophies and scored 31 goals in just 96 appearances. However, things could have turned out very differently for him.
When Real Madrid expressed interest
According to MARCA, the talented midfielder had once been on Real Madrid's radar as early as 2018.
Back then, after a standout season at Lazio, top European clubs such as Juventus, PSG, Manchester United, and Milan all showed interest in him, but no one could make the deal happen.
The reason? Lazio president Claudio Lotito refused to budge. He placed a €150 million price tag on Milinkovic-Savic and made it clear he wasn't planning to sell.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic wanted to play for Real Madrid. (Photo by)
Advertisement
'I don't feel obliged to sell,' he said on several occasions. And so, Milinkovic-Savic remained in Rome.
His Real Madrid dream never came
During his eight years with Lazio, the midfielder made over 300 appearances and became one of the most admired talents in Serie A.
However, in a 2021 interview, he openly admitted: 'It's always been my dream to play for Real Madrid. I hope to wear that white shirt one day.'
But that day never arrived. After Zinedine Zidane left the club, Real Madrid changed direction and brought in younger midfielders like Eduardo Camavinga instead. The dream move faded.
In 2023, Milinkovic-Savic surprised many by moving to Al Hilal. The Saudi club paid €40 million for his services and handed him a lucrative deal.
Now, in June 2025, destiny brings him face to face with the club he once longed to join. On the pitch in the Club World Cup, he will finally meet Real Madrid, not as one of them, but as their rival.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Inter Milan President Delivers Verdict On Simone Inzaghi Exit Controversy: 'Part Of The Past'
Inter Milan President Delivers Verdict On Simone Inzaghi Exit Controversy: 'Part Of The Past' Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta insists Simone Inzaghi belongs to the Nerazzurri past amid emerging controversy surrounding his exit. Speaking to Sport Mediaset via FCInterNews, Marotta refused to let the media hype draw him into a conflict with the new Al-Hilal boss. Advertisement Indeed, he confirmed Simone Inzaghi had decided to leave the Nerazzurri long before the Champions League final. Despite the delicacy of the moment, the 49-year-old put his interests first. As often happens with egoism, it backfired on the whole team, resulting in a calamitous defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. However, Marotta, in his manner, reacted calmly, insisting Inzaghi's departure is now behind the club. Moreover, he stressed that the focus should be on moving forward. He dismissed any media attempts to create discord, urging everyone to concentrate on the team's future ambitions. Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta Reacts to Simone Inzaghi Controversial Exit BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 20: Simone Inzaghi head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Bologna and FC Internazionale at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on April 20, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by) 'These types of statements come and go, as do the denials,' Marotta said. 'We acknowledged the coach's intention. Advertisement 'It's in the past now, and we won't go into deeper analysis. 'Today, we're here at what is either the start or the tail-end of a season, a point of transition between the old and the new. 'What matters is the pride of being in this competition, especially with Cristian Chivu at the helm.' Meanwhile, he also commented on the club's transfer plans amid the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup. 'Ausilio, Baccin, and I have been working for months to identify the right profiles for us. 'We've already completed some deals, and others will be finalized in the coming month. 'But above all, it's important to highlight that we, including the ownership, are determined to keep the team's core intact.'
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Inzaghi on Al-Hilal move and Inter exit: ‘No other team I wanted to coach'
Inzaghi on Al-Hilal move and Inter exit: 'No other team I wanted to coach' Simone Inzaghi wanted to step out of his 'comfort zone' at Inter, so he picked Al-Hilal: 'There was no other team I wanted to coach.' The Italian tactician held a press conference ahead of his Al-Hilal debut in the Club World Cup against Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid. Inzaghi explains Inter exit Simone Inzaghi is the new coach of Al-Hilal (@AlHilal_FC) 'I accepted the challenge and stepped out of my comfort zone after several years at Inter,' Inzaghi said via Gazzetta. Advertisement 'I want to change my way of thinking, my style of play and try new things. There was no other team I wanted to coach, so I chose Al-Hilal.' Inzaghi left Inter after the team lost the Champions League Final 5-0 to PSG. Inzaghi's controversial Inter exit epa12147931 Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi takes off his jacket during the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano in Munich, Germany 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL The Al-Hilal CEO recently claimed Inzaghi and the Saudi side had reached an agreement before the Final on May 31, sparking Inter's irritation. Inter President Beppe Marotta refused to comment by saying that the only thing that matters is that the Nerazzurri have now begun a new era under Cristian Chivu. Inter made my 2025 Club World Cup debut against Monterrey last night, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Inzaghi won six trophies during his time at Inter: one Scudetto, two Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italiana. The 49-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Al-Hilal.
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
How to Watch Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca From Anywhere for Free: Stream FIFA Club World Cup Soccer
A host of new summer signings are set to make their Manchester City debuts today as the Premier League team takes on Morocco's Wydad Casablanca in this Group G matchup. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to watch every match of the tournament as it happens, wherever you are in the world. We'll also explain how to use a VPN if the match isn't available where you are, along with a full fixture list. Left back Rayan Ait-Nouri, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and mercurial French winger Rayan Cherki have all joined Pep Guardiola's team in recent weeks for a cool £150 million as City look to rebuild after a disappointing season, with the trio all expected to play in today's game. They come up against a Wydad team which finished the season third in the Botola league, 16 points off Moroccan top-flight champions RS Berkane, with Mohamed Amine Benhachem's side qualifying for this tournament thanks to their victory in the 2022 CAF Champions League. Manchester City takes on Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday, June 18, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET or 9 a.m. PT. That makes it an 5 p.m. BST start in the UK and a 2 a.m. AEST kickoff in Australia on Thursday. Pep Guardiola won the previous format of the FIFA Club World Cup on four occasions as manager: twice with Barcelona, and once each with Bayern Munich and Manchester the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 for free The great news for footy fans is that sports streaming platform DAZN is set to broadcast all 63 matches of the FIFA Club World Cup free in almost every country, with coverage available in multiple languages. DAZN DAZN Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free Existing DAZN subscribers or Freemium members can watch every game of the tournament as part of their current membership. If you're not a member, it's easy to sign up for a free DAZN Freemium account using your email address to watch all the action at no cost through the DAZN app. As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, DAZN offers a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs. See at DAZN How to watch Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca online from anywhere using a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with all the FIFA Club World Cup soccer action while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds. It can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial. James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN that works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at Livestream Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca free in the UK As well as DAZN, footy fans in the UK have a second option for watching FIFA Club World Cup matches that is also free. Free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5 is set to show 23 select features live during the tournament, including today's tournament opener. That also means this match can be live streamed via the network's My5 online service. Coverage begins at 4 p.m. BST. Livestream Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca in Australia Like the UK, Australia also has a second option for watching the tournament live. Alongside DAZN's free coverage, pay TV broadcaster Foxtel and its sister streaming service Kayo will also be showing all 63 games. Kayo Sports Kayo Sports Watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Australia for AU$25 A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$25 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$40 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices. The service gives you access to a wide range of sports, including F1, NRL, NFL, NHL and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts. Better still, if you're a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial. See at Kayo Sports Quick tips for streaming the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 soccer using a VPN
