Sevilla president José María del Nido Carrasco has this evening provided his take on the widespread media chatter, surrounding January signing Hannibal Mejbri.
The name of midfielder Hannibal has of course taken its place front and centre in the Spanish media headlines across the week to date.
This comes after the youngster – fresh off his loan arrival from Manchester United – was publicly called out by head coach Quique Sánchez Flores.
Amid reports that a training ground bust-up with teammate Mariano Díaz had sparked a major internal conflict in Andalusia, Quique informed the media:
“After being with him, talking to him and having seen his first minutes in Girona, we are going to give him the necessary space to understand where he is, that he is at Sevilla and what it means.”
As much was followed by widespread speculation, pointing towards Hannibal being in line for an incoming exclusion from matchday duties.
It therefore came as a major surprise when, in fact, the 21-year-old was included in Sevilla’s squad to face Osasuna on Sunday.
So, amid such conflicting claims, where exactly does Hannibal stand at The Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium at present?
Well, as alluded to above, an insight into precisely that has today been provided.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon, Sevilla president José María del Nido Carrasco was asked for the latest on the situation of his most recent signing.
And Del Nido made use of the opportunity to completely shift the narrative surrounding Hannibal at present, adamant that the Tunisian international is a ‘magnificent professional’:
“We are very excited about Hannibal, we are convinced that he is going to play a lot. Hannibal is a magnificent professional, he trains well, he takes care of himself… Everyone is happy with him, don’t trust other stories.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
