Bono’s Almost-Bayern Moment: Why the Moroccan Keeper Chose Al Hilal Over a German Dream
21 February 2026
A near miss with Bayern Munich
The Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bono, star of Al Hilal, has given a candid account of a pivotal moment in his professional career, revealing he was close to moving to Bayern Munich before leaving Sevilla.
In a recent interview on the Ezzequiel channel on YouTube, reported by the Saudi daily Al-Youm, Bono explained that talks with the Bavarian giants had progressed to an advanced stage, but delays prevented the deal from closing in time. He emphasized that timing was decisive, forcing a quick decision when a serious offer from Al Hilal arrived.
Al Hilal became the decisive choice
He stressed that he does not regret his decision, noting that Al Hilal showed a clear interest in signing him and provided a professional environment that helped him settle and perform at his best. Bono highlighted the trust the Saudi club placed in him as a key factor in his development and success with the team.
Asked about the best player he has seen up close, Bono singled out Brazilian star Neymar, explaining that Neymar’s form while wearing the Al Hilal jersey wasn’t at his physical peak, but that he remained an extraordinary talent with technical abilities that are hard to replicate.
Self-reflection, Neymar, and the road ahead
In a separate part of the discussion, Bono offered a blunt self-evaluation, admitting that laziness can be a flaw at times, though he stressed that he has worked hard to improve mentally and physically over the years.
He concluded by noting his strengths—his football intelligence, the ability to read game dynamics, and his attention to granular details that can swing big matches in the later stages of careers and seasons.
Punchline time: If life gives you a near-Bayern moment, make it a chart-topping save with Al Hilal as the encore.
Punchline time 2: When the transfer window acts like a weather forecast, Bono chose sunshine—Saudi style—and Neymar as the sunniest highlight. My defense would agree: timing is everything, and Bono just timed it to perfection.
