Ex-Liverpool Star Eyes Thrilling European Comeback: "I'm Very Excited"
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has been competing in Saudi Arabia's top division since 2023, but disclosed in a recent interview that he's prepared to make a comeback to European football, particularly in Spain's La Liga.
Fabinho departed Liverpool following five triumphant campaigns where he claimed every major trophy with the club, moving to Al Ittihad in summer 2023 for a fee of £40 million ($51.33 million). The Brazilian has secured two titles in Saudi Arabia, but with his deal entering its last six months, he openly expressed his desire to eventually return to Europe.
"This is my first experience reaching the conclusion of a contract," Fabinho mentioned with a smile to MARCA. "That doesn't indicate I'm unprofessional, but typically a club has always approached and purchased me.
"Therefore, these final six months will be a fresh experience for me, though I'm not rushing to settle my future. However, I understand that in the upcoming weeks I'll discuss with my representative to evaluate several possibilities. I'm content at Al Ittihad but must consider all options.
"I would also enjoy returning to Europe someday, whether now or later. I always appreciate experiencing new challenges, a competition I've never participated in. Though I've previously played in La Liga, it was merely for 15–20 minutes, so it would still be something fresh. It's something that excites me greatly, the possibility of competing in La Liga."
Fabinho featured in Spain's premier league as a youth player, making his professional bow in 2012 wearing Real Madrid's iconic white jersey. While he couldn't cement his place with Los Blancos, Fabinho retains only positive recollections of his period in the Spanish capital.
Fabinho: Living Real Madrid Experience Was 'Incredible' For Me
Fabinho represented Real Madrid throughout the 2012–13 campaign, featuring once for Los Blancos' first team and 30 times for Real Madrid Castilla. While with Real Madrid's reserve squad, he played alongside talents like Nacho Fernández and Raphaël Varane. Although his spell with Real Madrid was short-lived, Fabinho still regards that era as "exceptional."
"It marked my inaugural season in professional football," Fabinho explained. "With Castilla, we competed in the second tier, which provided excellent experience for me and the squad was outstanding too. As an adventure, it was remarkable.
"Being there, surrounded by Real Madrid culture even though it wasn't the main team, spending time at the Ciudad Deportiva, occasionally training with the senior squad and even making my La Liga debut with the first team ... it was truly exceptional."
The Brazilian further revealed he had an opportunity to remain with Los Blancos longer, but an offer from AS Monaco in summer 2013 proved too attractive to decline. During his Monaco tenure, he helped the team capture Ligue 1 in 2016–17, which remains the club's most recent league championship.
Fabinho has claimed silverware in every league he's competed in throughout his career, with the exception of La Liga. Now, at 32 years of age, he seems ready to return to Spain to attempt changing that record.