Halilović on the Brink of Brazil
Brazilian media have reported that Internacional has sent an offer to free agent Alen Halilović. If the transfer goes through, we could witness a clash between two Croats in one of Brazil's biggest rivalries.
Brazilian media have reported that Internacional has sent an offer to free agent Alen Halilović. If the transfer goes through, we could witness a clash between two Croats in one of Brazil's biggest rivalries.
Alen Halilović (30) could continue his career in Brazil. According to Brazilian media late Saturday night, football club Internacional from Porto Alegre has sent an offer to the Croatian midfielder, who has been a free agent since leaving Dutch club Fortuna Sittard this summer.
The information was first reported by journalist Jairo Winck and confirmed by the reputable Brazilian sports portal ge.globo. In recent weeks, Halilović has been linked with several clubs, including Iran's Persepolis, but it seems Internacional has now stepped forward with a concrete offer.
What adds a special charm to the whole story is the fact that Internacional and Grêmio share the same city and are the biggest rivals. Grêmio recently confirmed the arrival of 30-year-old Filip Krovinović, who joined after terminating his contract with Hajduk. If Halilović's transfer is realized, fans could witness a Croatian clash in the city derby during the season.
Both clubs are currently fighting for survival in the top flight. Internacional sits in 17th place on the league table, in the relegation zone, and trails its city rival by three points.
Brazilian media recall the interesting career of the once-great Croatian talent. Halilović developed his football skills at Dinamo, from where he moved to Barcelona at just 17 years old. At the time, his playing style earned him the nickname "Croatian Messi," and he was compared to Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić, but he never got a real chance at the Catalan giant.
After Barcelona, he wore the jerseys of Sporting Gijón, HSV, Las Palmas, Milan, Standard Liège, Heerenveen, Birmingham, Reading, Rijeka, and Fortuna Sittard. He finished last season at the Dutch club with a modest record of five appearances and one assist, with his last match played on May 17.
Halilović himself has openly spoken on several occasions about the burden that young players carry when they are compared to the greats. In a 2024 interview, commenting on the high expectations, he stated that "football doesn't work that way."
Internacional is a club with a rich history, whose colors have been defended by numerous famous names such as Alisson, Dida, Dunga, Fred, Taffarel, and Pato. Although the offer has been sent, there is no confirmation yet that the transfer will be completed, and Halilović's next destination remains uncertain.
