Hancko rejects monster salary from Al-Nassr: 'Twenty years to play at Atlético'

Soccereco, Staff Writer

Published: 10:50, 9 Sep 2025

Dávid Hancko has given an insight into the contract he could have signed with Al-Nassr. According to the former Feyenoord defender, he would have to play twenty years for Atlético Madrid to match what he could earn in Saudi Arabia.

For months, it looked as if Dávid Hancko was destined to swap European football for the Saudi Pro League.

The Slovak defender, who had become a key figure at Feyenoord and then attracted the interest of several top European clubs, was heavily linked with a move to Al-Nassr during the summer transfer window. The Saudi side, who have already lured global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, Aymeric Laporte and Marcelo Brozović, had put a lucrative contract on the table for the 26-year-old.

At one point, the deal seemed inevitable. Negotiations had reached an advanced stage, and reports in both the Netherlands and Slovakia suggested Hancko was preparing to take the plunge into the Middle East. But at the last moment, for reasons that were never fully clarified, the transfer collapsed. Al-Nassr moved on, and Atlético Madrid stepped into the picture eventually securing one of the most intriguing defensive signings of their summer.

Now, a few months later, Hancko has reflected on that turbulent period. Speaking to Slovak broadcaster TA3, the defender offered a candid glimpse into just how close he came to signing for the Saudi club and the kind of financial package that was on offer.

“Al-Nassr was not our first option, because I always wanted to stay in Europe,” Hancko explained. “And although I had spoken with coaches and sporting directors from other clubs in previous transfer windows, a move never materialized. But this summer only one offer came in, and it was incredible. I’m not going to lie, that contract was just… If I compare contracts, I would have to play twenty years for Atlético to earn that much.”

The staggering numbers highlight the financial pull of the Saudi Pro League. Clubs in Saudi Arabia have not hesitated to offer “monster salaries” to lure players away from Europe, and while some stars have embraced the move, others, like Hancko, remain determined to prove themselves at the highest competitive level. For the Slovak, the prestige of competing in La Liga, under Diego Simeone, and testing himself in the Champions League outweighed the temptation of a quick fortune.

Hancko admitted that doubts began to creep in even as the Al-Nassr deal appeared close to completion. “When we felt that something was not right, my agent informed Atlético that signing me was still an option,” he recalled. What followed was a whirlwind: “Atlético did in one and a half days what we had wanted for one and a half years.”

For Atlético, the timing could not have been better. They had long admired Hancko’s qualities his left-footed balance in defense, aerial strength, and comfort on the ball but had previously failed to make progress in negotiations. The breakdown of the Saudi deal opened a small window of opportunity, and the Spanish giants moved swiftly to get it done.

Since arriving in Madrid, Hancko has been integrating into Simeone’s demanding system. Known for his intensity and tactical discipline, Simeone values defenders who combine resilience with the ability to contribute in possession, and Hancko seems to tick those boxes. While the adjustment from the Eredivisie to La Liga is significant, the early signs have been positive, and Atlético fans are hopeful that he can become a long-term fixture in their backline.

Away from the club scene, Hancko has also enjoyed success on the international stage. During the most recent international break, he scored in Slovakia’s impressive 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Germany a result that sent shockwaves across Europe. He also played a crucial role in the 1-0 victory against Luxembourg, helping Slovakia strengthen their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

For Hancko, these performances underline his decision to stay in Europe. Competing at the top level week in, week out, and measuring himself against the very best attackers in the world, remains a priority. “Of course, the money was tempting,” he admitted, “but football is about more than just contracts. Playing in Spain, facing the best players in the world, and being part of a project like Atlético’s that’s what I wanted for my career.”

The defender’s story reflects a wider debate in modern football: the tension between financial incentives offered outside Europe and the sporting prestige of remaining within the continent’s elite leagues. Hancko’s choice to reject Saudi millions in favor of Atlético Madrid may not make headlines like some of the superstar transfers to the Gulf region, but it highlights the difficult decisions professional players face in balancing ambition, stability, and financial security.

For Atlético Madrid, however, it may prove to be one of their most important signings in recent years. And for Hancko, the chance to test himself at the highest level even if it means giving up the equivalent of two decades of salary in Saudi Arabia is a price worth paying.