The unexpected reason for the frustrated signing of Marcos Leonardo for Atlético de Madrid

The switch market closed simply over twelve hours in the past, and Atlético might be proud of three additions. Nonetheless, one other participant who was near arriving was left in limbo after issues in his league. What was meant to be probably the most putting actions of the winter market led to shock for the crimson and white followers. The signing of Marcos Leonardo, a 22-year-old Brazilian ahead who was virtually in talks with Atlético de Madrid, didn’t change into a actuality earlier than the closing of the switch window.

Though all events to the settlement, corresponding to Atlético, Al-Hilal and the participant himself, had agreed on a switch mannequin with a purchase order possibility near 40 million euros, though the operation didn’t obtain the ultimate approval of the Saudi membership and, consequently, was canceled within the final hours of the market. Though the ultimate determination was made by the participant’s staff, behind the cancellation there’s a extra advanced state of affairs than it appeared at first look.

The Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo issue that modified the script

The Saudi soccer market has been hectic in current weeks, with identify actions inflicting a domino impact. On this context, the arrival of Karim Benzema at Al-Hilal has been key, as his signing was going to pressure the membership to reconfigure its squad and unlock area to adjust to the foreigner guidelines. Though it grew to become official within the final hours of the market, for a very long time it was unknown if it was lastly going to change into a actuality.

Nonetheless, the scenario took an surprising flip, and Cristiano Ronaldo would have opposed Benzema’s arrival at Al-Hilal, a direct rival of Al-Nassr within the Saudi league, which additional strained the planning of the nation’s golf equipment. This oblique stress and doubts about international signings ended up influencing Al-Hilal to not authorize the departure of Marcos Leonardo on the final second, regardless of preliminary agreements with Atlético. Briefly, the Portuguese ahead grew to become significantly offended after studying that his former teammate at Actual Madrid was going to play in the identical league, contemplating it an abuse of energy on the a part of the PIF.

A missed alternative and an accelerated market

For Atlético, this cancellation comes at a very delicate second, since after closing the arrival of Ademola Lookman and with the necessity to reinforce different areas, the crimson and whites noticed in Marcos Leonardo an offensive wager with projection and aim. The operation appeared properly underway, and the striker was even prepared to reach in Madrid. However the mixture of exterior components, with tensions in Saudi Arabia, actions of gamers from that league corresponding to Benzema or Cristiano and even the inner administration of foreigners’ chips, ended up sweeping away the probabilities of closing the signing.

As we have now already reported, Marcos Leonardo has not obtained the ultimate approval to signal for Atlético, even though the negotiation was agreed in all the small print.

The ahead won’t signal for Atlético de Madrid.

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) February 2, 2026

After the failure of this operation, Atlético has needed to reorder its priorities on the final day of the market. The sports activities administration, led by Mateu Alemany, prioritizes closing signings that strengthen the staff with out relying on advanced endorsements overseas, and Simeone has left the door open to different choices that give muscle and targets to the assault.