The al Hilal It is one of the most powerful teams of Saudi Arabia. The pharaonic project of which Español Esteve Calzada as CEO since December 2023 has drawn attention in recent years for its stellar signings, which have gradually turned it into the great exponent of the Saudi Pro League. Milinkovic-Savic, Koulibaly, Rúben, Malcolm, Mitrovica, Renan Lodi o Cannon They are some of them.
In the days before the Club World Cup, they confirmed their nth 'Bombazo': Simone Inzaghicoach of Inter from Milanhe was going to disembark in his project and, therefore, to become one of the best paid technicians on the planet. However, many forgot about one of the great pillars of the team: the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Inzaghihow Xabi Alonsopremiered his project in this Club World Cup. It seemed that it was going to be a damn debut for the Italian, before a Real Madrid Reinforced with first level signings and that, by the hand of Tolosarra, was destined to make a great presentation in the tournament. Nothing is further from reality: Al Hilal submitted to the white box in many sections of the party, undressing many deficiencies that the former must resolve Bayer Leverkusen If you want to go far in USA.
The match was resolved with a 1-1 after the goals of Gonzalo y Rúbenby penalty, in the first half. However, the Madrid He was able to take the victory with a penalty in the addition. But the hero of the night appeared: Bonothat guessed the intentions to Fede Valverde and bitter the debut of Xabi Alonso and of Madrid In Miami. Casualities of life, the Moroccan could have been one of Florentino Pérez's signings two years ago.
They say it is difficult to reject clubs such as Madridbut the Moroccan goalkeeper did it, and he does not regret it. Yassine Bounouwho reached Sevilla The summer of 2019, said goodbye to Sánchez-Pizjuán In the summer of 2023 after winning twice the UEFA Europa Leagueand Zamora trophy And a nomination as the best goalkeeper in the world at the gala The Best.
A spectacular World Cup
Consecrated as one of the best goalkeepers of LaLiga, Bono also completely shone in the Qatar World Cup 2022where Moroccounder the orders of WALID REGRAGUIhe fell in love with the world with a pragmatic, sacrificed and forceful football that managed to squeeze its possibilities to the maximum and eliminate teams with more quality and stars.
Morocco fell into semifinals against France (2-0), after eliminating the Space of Luis Enrique In the round of 16 after a batch of penalties in which Bono He was the protagonist, now Portugal In the quarterfinals. The goalkeeper of Sevillaat that time, stopped two of the three penalties of 'The red'-The other sent it Sarabia to the stick-, demonstrating that he is a great specialist in Part Penalis. He also demonstrated it with the Hispanic team, stopping two penalties before the Roma in Budapest To lift the seventh Europa League of the history of the club.
The signing of the al Hilal and the interest of Madrid
With that title, Bono He decided to end his adventure in Sevilla And he started exploring options. Despite having European club offers, he finally decided to start a new chapter in the Al Hilalleaving 21 million for its transfer in the Sevilla coffers. Bayern Munich y Real Madrid They knocked on their door, as recently commented in an interview with Radio channel. “It was the first option, it is what I understand“He recalled about the White Club, who wanted to sign it when Thibaut Courtois The cross ligament broke.
“The directive analyzed the entire situation, saw that I could go to the Africa Cup and lose a lot of matches in an important month for Madrid and could not. In addition, they had other assignment -shaped options that came better, “he added about their possible signing for Real Madrid two summers.
Be that as it may, Bono It is currently one of the best goalkeepers of the Saudi Pro League and in this Club World Cup He has found that its quality under sticks remains intact. 'Partidazo' against Real Madrid with six stops, MVP according to Sofascorewith an 8.3 assessment – a better than Gonzalo, chosen MVP of the FIFA clash, which has a 7.2 – and a penalty standing in the addition.
Definitely, Fede Valverde And Madrid will dream tonight with the penalty he has stopped. Who knows if it can become decisive during the group stage …