Espanyol youngster rejected Barcelona twice in his youth career
El Hilali, now 21 years old, has become a cornerstone in Espanyol's defensive structure and is seen as a symbol of the club's identity. Remarkably, his allegiance to Espanyol was absolute even during his formative years.
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Barcelona first tried to lure him before he had even played for Espanyol, spotting his potential early. However, Omar declined the opportunity to join the more glamorous La Masia academy, opting instead to commit to Espanyol's setup.
The second instance
The second approach came later, during his spell with Espanyol's U19 side, where his performances had again attracted the attention of Barça scouts. But once more, Omar stood firm. His response was simple and direct: 'I'm an Espanyol player.'
Omar El Hilali rejected Barcelona twice. (Photo by)
Despite the prestige, resources, and development pathway Barcelona offered, El Hilali prioritised identity and loyalty, a rare trait in the modern game, especially among young players.
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This commitment has paid off. Under Manolo Gonzalez, El Hilali has become a regular starter at right-back, missing only two matches this La Liga campaign due to suspension.
His performances this season have been consistently impressive, placing him firmly on the radar of top clubs, and not just in Spain.
Furthermore, his return to the squad for the crucial clash against Barcelona this Thursday is set to draw even more attention, especially with the Blaugrana fully aware of what they missed out on twice.
What makes this situation particularly interesting from Barcelona's perspective is their ongoing search for reliable full-backs. Despite recent efforts to reinforce the position, the club has struggled to find long-term, consistent performers at right-back.
In hindsight, El Hilali could have been a smart investment, young, talented, and already integrated into Catalan football.
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