From City to Saudi Sky: Kalzada's Bold Leap to Al Hilal
10 December 2025
Kalzada's Bold Leap to Al Hilal
Spanish-born Steven Kalzada, Al Hilal's chief executive, praised the Saudi club as the only one capable of convincing someone to leave Manchester City for its sake.
He took the helm in January after roughly five years at Manchester City as Chief Commercial Officer, a move that now places him at the center of a cross-continental transition.
Kalzada discussed the move during an interview with the Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the World Football Summit.
He explained that he signed with Al Hilal simply because it is the biggest club in Saudi Arabia.
He noted that he had been lucky to work with top clubs such as Barcelona and Manchester City, and that he would not leave Manchester City for any other club.
However, when the opportunity to work in Saudi arose, he knew Al Hilal was the biggest in the country, and he stated that only Al Hilal could tempt him to leave Manchester City.
He finished by saying he is very happy with the decision, because the greatness of the club has surpassed his expectations and he feels lucky to be part of this big entity.
The piece also includes a linked module about a Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City, illustrating the broader European competition context.
In summary, Kalzada's move is framed as a milestone for his career and for the Saudi league's expanding international footprint.
Punchline 1: If Kalzada’s career keeps climbing, his trophy cabinet will need a bigger door. Punchline 2: In the transfer world, he didn’t just chase a dream—he hired the sky to help him reach it.