When the Samba Spark Went North: Will Marcus Leonardo Return to Brazil or Stay in the Saudi Spotlight?
12 November 2025
The Brazilian forward Marcus Leonardo, who stars for Al Hilal, is once again tied to a possible move back to Brazil as the next transfer window approaches, following a string of impressive displays for the Saudi champions.
Leonardo had been linked with a Brazilian return in the previous transfer window, but the deal did not materialize and he remains at Al Hilal this season.
Marcus Leonardo's Position
According to the Saudi daily Al-Yawm, Flamengo has placed Leonardo at the top of their shortlist to sign him in the upcoming window. The report adds that the club’s coach, Italian SIMONE INZAGHI, prefers to keep him in the squad, underscoring how crucial he has become to the team. Since the season’s start, Inzaghi has relied heavily on Leonardo, especially with recurring injuries to Uruguay striker Darwin Núñez, which have limited options upfront.
Leonardo’s role has been central to the team’s plans, with Núñez often deployed on the left wing to preserve Leonardo as the main striker when healthy. The Brazilian’s role has grown in tandem with the injuries that have affected the forward line, reinforcing his status as a key asset for the coach.
Recurring Brazilian Interest
Flamengo is not the first Brazilian club to eye Leonardo. São Paulo has previously expressed interest and, according to ESPN, still dreams of signing him on loan during the upcoming January window. The same report notes that Al Hilal’s management is preparing to adjust the financial terms of Leonardo’s contract, which runs through 2029, in order to keep him at the club.
That stance reflects a broader pattern: Brazilian clubs have long chased Leonardo, but Al Hilal’s willingness to negotiate will hinge on value and strategic fit as the market moves toward the summer window.
The Comeback and the Numbers
The strange arc of Leonardo’s time with the team even includes a near-exit from the domestic squad earlier this season. He was briefly set to be dropped, only to be registered in place of Portuguese-born defender João Cancelo after Cancelo sustained an injury on September 19 in the opening match of the AFC Champions League preliminaries. Cancelo’s rehabilitation was expected to last up to eight weeks, which pushed Leonardo back into the starting lineup and solidified his place in the attack for the foreseeable future.
Since the start of the season, Leonardo has appeared in 11 matches across the Saudi Pro League, the King’s Cup, and the AFC Champions League Elite, scoring eight goals. In the Saudi league specifically, after missing the opening rounds, he produced six goals in five appearances, establishing himself as the team’s leading scorer in the competition. His form has helped Al Hilal navigate through a period of squad disruption and maintain its title challenge.
Beyond the league tally, Leonardo’s impact is highlighted by his consistent starting role and his ability to contribute even when teammates return to full fitness, underscoring why the club is keen to retain him amid persistent transfer rumors.
Impact and Opponent-by-Opponent Ledger
Since joining Al Hilal in the summer of 2024 from Benfica, Leonardo has tallied 23 goals in 29 Saudi league appearances, striking against 15 different opponents. Al Khaleed (Al-Khuzoud) is the standout foe, with four goals in two meetings. Al-Fath (Al-Fatah) sits second with three goals in a single encounter, followed by Al-Ettifah (Al-Ettifaq) and Al-Ittihad, against whom he has netted two times in three meetings. He has scored once against Al-Arabi in a single meeting.
Additionally, he has found the net once against ten other teams—Al-Khaleej, Al-Fayha, Taawon, Al-Qadsiah, Al-Raed, Al-Ahli, Dhofar, Al-Wehda, Al-Shabab, and another club—after facing them on two occasions or just once. Notably, he did not find the net against Al-Nasr in two meetings last season, though he did contribute a single assist in one of those showdowns. He also played two Riyadh derbies last season with no goals, but did register an assist in a different context. Since his arrival, his influence has extended beyond goals, shaping how the team builds its attack around his movement and finishing instincts.
For context, Leonardo arrived in 2024 from Benfica and has since become a staple of the attacking unit, offering a blend of poise, pace, and finishing that has made him a constant threat to opposing defenses. His ongoing development continues to be a central talking point for fans and analysts watching the Saudi league’s evolving talent pool.
Punchline time: If football had a dating app, Leonardo would be swiping right on every defense—and still finding a way to score. Punchline two: In football as in life, if you can’t win the argument with a header, win it with a bicycle kick, preferably while your tea stays hot in the dugout.
