ORLANDO — Al Hilal's Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić hailed his team's stunning 4-3 victory over Manchester City as a "statement to the world," declaring that the Saudi Pro League's quality is undeniable and that the club has written a new chapter in football history. Speaking after the match in Orlando, which sent Al Hilal into the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup, Savic said: "We've made history tonight. It was a massive game and a huge result. For anyone who doubts our league, we've shown on the pitch that the Saudi league is strong — we proved it to the world." The 29-year-old, who joined Al Hilal in summer of 2023 amid some skepticism over his move to the Roshn Saudi League, emphasized that the win was not only about individual talent but collective spirit. "We were missing several key players, which is never ideal," he admitted. "But our squad is deep and full of quality. Everyone who stepped onto the pitch played at a high level and helped us overcome one of the best teams in the world." He also shared insight into the team's mindset: "Now it's all about recovery for the next match. It's not just about celebrations. City is a team that creates constant attacking pressure, but we stayed compact, defended with heart, and stuck together as a unit. At halftime, the coach encouraged us to keep going because we were doing well." Savic pointedly addressed earlier criticism surrounding his move to Saudi Arabia: "A lot of people had things to say when I joined the league. What happened tonight, and our performances against Real Madrid and Salzburg, is the best answer to those critics." Looking ahead, Savic acknowledged the challenge posed by Brazilian side Fluminense, who eliminated Champions League finalists Inter Milan in their previous match: "Any team that knocks out Inter is a serious opponent. We respect them, but we'll be fully prepared." He concluded: "The key in these games is to believe. That's what we did tonight we believed, and that belief carried us through."
