Filippo Inzaghi Defends Simone Over Controversial Big Money Move To Al-Hilal: ‘His Priority Was Inter Milan, He Made His Choice After Champions League Final’ | OneFootball

Filippo Inzaghi says his brother Simone “prioritized Inter Milan” and chose to join Al-Hilal after the Champions League final.

Speaking on the Palermo Torretta Cafe talk show, via FCInterNews, the coach defended his brother following some criticism over his big money move to the Saudi Pro League.

It would be fair to say that the decision by Simone Inzaghi to join Al-Hilal didn’t go down well with many Inter fans.

The 49-year-old decided to prioritize making huge money in Saudi Arabia rather than coaching at a high level in Europe. This is always something that can attract criticism in football.

But even more contentious was the timing of Inzaghi’s decision.

Reportedly, Al-Hilal had been negotiating with Inzaghi for several weeks before he made the decision to accept their offer.

Therefore, the links between Inzaghi and Al-Hilal were a distraction for Inter over the last few weeks of the season.

That run-in for the campaign saw Inter lose out on the Serie A title to Napoli. And even more significantly, the Nerazzurri lost the Champions League final in humiliating fashion, falling to a 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Filippo Inzaghi: “Simone Prioritized Inter, Chose Al-Hilal After Champions League Final”

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after collecting his runners up medal after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi’s brother Filippo Inzaghi called the decision to join Al-Hilal “a personal matter.”

“The only thing I know is that Simone decided after the Champions League final,” he went on.

“Sometimes, you read things that are nonsense,” Filippo said, referring to rumours that Simone had already decided to leave Inter before the los to PSG.

“He hadn’t decided anything before the final. Even though there were already offers then, and not just from Al-Hilal.”

“But he always prioritized Inter,” Filippo insisted.

“After four years, and especially the last three. And after the Champions League final, he probably thought he couldn’t do any more than that.”

Filippo said that Simone “will go and have a different, formative experience.”

“Then, in two years he’ll return to Europe,” he predicted of the ex-Inter coach.