Al-Hilal’s Stunning Victory: Esteve Calzada Joins as CEO from Manchester City

Al-Hilal have officially named Esteve Calzada as their new CEO.

Calzada’s efforts at City were instrumental in the Premier League champions achieving a record-breaking £712 million ($887m) revenue for the 2022-23 season, a significant increase from the previous year.

The Spaniard also made a substantial impact at Barcelona, where he served as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer from 2002 to 2007, overseeing a significant economic and commercial boost at the Liga giants.

Calzada’s appointment at Al-Hilal is a significant move for the most successful team in the Saudi Pro League, known for signing prominent European football stars such as Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic.

This appointment reflects the growth of Saudi Arabian football, which has attracted global attention with the inclusion of superstar players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane in its top division.

Saudi Arabia’s progress is not limited to the domestic league – the national team’s remarkable performance at the 2022 World Cup, where they defeated eventual winners Argentina, has earned widespread acclaim as one of the biggest shocks in football history.

The introduction of a dedicated Women’s Football Department by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in 2019 has also had a positive impact, providing opportunities for women and girls to pursue their football dreams.

Saudi Arabia’s upcoming hosting of the 2034 men’s World Cup and the subsequent women’s tournament has generated tremendous excitement in the region.

An official statement from Al-Hilal announcing Calzada’s appointment stated, “Esteve Calzada, with his extensive experience at top European clubs like Manchester City and FC Barcelona, is recognized as one of the most renowned sports marketers. The board looks forward to working with him for the benefit of Al-Hilal, their goals, and successes.”

“Calzada’s more than two decades of experience in the sports sector, along with gratitude to Mr. Al-Jarboua for his contributions to Al-Hilal’s success as a player, administrator, board member, and CEO, have been acknowledged by the Board as we extend our greatest wishes to him as he continues his career.”