Renan Lodi unilaterally ends his contract with Al Hilal after being excluded from the Saudi Pro League squad. The Brazilian left-back cites legal support for his decision, while the club threatens legal action. Now a free agent, Lodi could return to Europe or South America, but his next step may be influenced by a looming legal dispute.
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Renan Lodi has publicly revealed, through a detailed statement on his social media platforms, that he has unilaterally terminated his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
The Brazilian left-back, who signed with the Riyadh-based giants with high expectations of contributing to their ambitious project, explained that the decision came after he was not registered to compete in the Saudi Pro League.
According to Lodi, the fact that he was excluded from the official league list effectively prevented him from doing his job as a professional footballer. He underlined that every player’s career is short and highly dependent on consistency and visibility, and that being left sidelined was, in his words, “unacceptable”. Before announcing the termination, the 27-year-old sought legal advice to ensure that his decision was supported by solid grounds. He insisted that the path he chose was not impulsive but carefully considered, with the main argument being that no professional can be deprived of exercising their trade.
Al Hilal, one of the most powerful clubs in Asia and home to several global stars, did not take long to react. In an official statement, the club strongly rejected the player’s version of events and announced its intention to take legal action against him. The club claims that contractual obligations must be respected and that Lodi’s unilateral decision constitutes a breach of his commitments. Sources close to the Saudi side suggest that the dispute could be escalated to FIFA and potentially to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which means the situation may drag on for months.
The case is particularly striking because of Al Hilal’s status. In recent seasons, the Saudi Pro League has invested heavily in attracting high-profile international players, with Al Hilal itself recruiting big names such as Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrović, Rúben Neves, and Kalidou Koulibaly. The club is considered the flagship of Saudi Arabia’s football expansion project, both on the sporting and marketing fronts. For that reason, Lodi’s public split with the institution is seen as an unexpected setback that sheds light on some of the challenges involved in building squads filled with foreign stars, where registration limits and league rules often force coaches and directors to make difficult decisions.
For Renan Lodi, the immediate consequence is that he now finds himself as a free agent. This opens up a variety of possible scenarios for the next stage of his career. Having played at a high level in Europe with Atlético Madrid, Granada, and Nottingham Forest, as well as representing Brazil in major competitions, the left-back has the profile to attract interest from clubs across the continent. Teams in need of an experienced and dynamic full-back, capable of playing both defensively and offensively, are likely to monitor his situation closely.
In Brazil, there is also speculation that leading clubs could attempt to bring him back to South America, especially given the growing trend of experienced internationals returning to their home countries in search of stability and regular playing time. At the same time, leagues such as the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga remain potential destinations, particularly for clubs preparing for demanding seasons that require squad depth.
Beyond his future at club level, Lodi’s professional situation also has implications for his international career. Brazil’s national team is in the process of renewal and remains highly competitive when it comes to places in the squad. For a player like Lodi, who has already worn the Seleção shirt, being without a club for too long could harm his chances of future call-ups. That makes it urgent for him and his representatives to find a resolution and a new team as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, this episode adds to a broader debate about the challenges faced by the Saudi Pro League. The league’s rapid rise has attracted global attention, but it has also exposed structural issues, such as squad registration limits, the balance between local and foreign players, and the legal complexities of contracts signed under ambitious but sometimes conflicting conditions. Renan Lodi’s case may set an important precedent and could be studied by FIFA as an example of how to manage disputes involving player registrations in emerging leagues.
For the moment, what is certain is that Renan Lodi is free to negotiate with any club, though the looming shadow of legal proceedings may complicate his next move. Clubs will want assurances that signing him will not involve long legal entanglements or potential sanctions. As such, the coming weeks will be decisive both for the player’s career trajectory and for the legal frameworks surrounding international transfers in modern football.
Updated: 12:08, 16 Sep 2025
