Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus has come under fire recently. Al Hilal’s star signing Neymar reportedly had a row with the Al Hilal manager, but has since dismissed the reports as “fake news”. Now, a Saudi journalist has brought to light Jesus’ harsh treatment of Lionel Messi‘s Argentine World Cup-winning teammate.

Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi played for Argentina throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, playing every minute, and was an important cog in Lionel Scaloni’s squad at the tournament. La Albiceleste went on to win the World Cup with Otamendi in the heart of defense, but according to a Saudi media person, the current Al Hilal gaffer Jorge Jesus tried to phase out Otamendi from Benfica.

Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus almost ended Otamendi’s career

As per the latest controversies surrounding Jorge Jesus, a Saudi journalist has now brought to light the manager’s ill-treatment of Nicolas Otamendi. Jesus, who coached Benfica from August 2020 to December 2021, much after his longer stint at the club from 2009-2015, surprisingly ousted Otamendi from the Portuguese club’s starting eleven. He allegedly also wanted to relegate Otamendi to the periphery of the squad and also took shots at the Argentine center-back, as the journalist reports.

The tweet on X, by the Saudi journalist read: ‘I won’t talk about anything that happens today. By telling a story that happened before, the picture becomes clearer. Jesus, two years ago, expelled Otamendi, the Argentine national team defender and current Benfica captain, and told him in text: “You are not good at positioning, and this is your age. Where did you learn football?” It is noteworthy that Otamendi, before this incident, was Pep’s main center for 4 seasons’

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Of course, this was before the World Cup last year, and it’s safe to say that Otamendi has since proved Jesus wrong. As the Saudi journalist also mentions, Otamendi was central to Pep Guardiola’s title-winning sides of old. The defender has also gone on to become Benfica’s captain since then. But for the Al Hilal manager, Jesus, results have been patchy in spite of the club’s marquee signing Neymar returning from injury.

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Al Hilal in patchy form after Neymar’s return

Al Hilal has drawn 2 games and won 1 since Neymar made his debut coming on as a substitute against Al Riyadh. Neymar’s debut game saw Al Hilal trounce Al Riyadh 6-1 with Neymar bagging an assist after coming on in the second half.

However, since then, the Saudi Pro League club has drawn 1-1 against Navbahor in the AFC Champions League and then drew 1-1 against Damac in the SPL.

Despite winning 1-0 against Al Jabalain in the King Cup of Champions, Al Hilal’s draw against Damac resulted in them relinquishing their top spot as leaders of the Saudi Pro League. Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad are now top of the SPL standings just 1 point ahead of Al Hilal. Nevertheless, both Jesus and Neymar will surely look to put the rumors and stories aside and focus on winning some silverware this season.

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