Nottingham Forest worked hard to sign Renan Lodi permanently in the summer, and he is now a record-breaking, history-making defender.
The defender chose Marseille over Forest because he wanted to play in the Champions League.
Lodi had to settle for Europa League football as Marseille lost to Panathinaikos over two legs in the qualification stages.
Lodi, a former Forester, is now on top of the world, and he and his teammates will go down in history.
Former Forest star Renan Lodi joins record-breaking Al-Hilal team
This became a reality Sunday night as Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal broke the world record for most consecutive competitive wins in world football.
Lodi appeared 32 times for Forest last season as the Reds remained in the Premier League, and he scored in his new team’s 3-1 victory over Al-Riyadh last night.
According to BBC Sport, Al-Hilal’s 28th consecutive win breaks the global record for most consecutive wins by a men’s top-flight team.
Lodi’s new team has surpassed The New Saints’ win total of 27 in 2016.
Forest attempted valiantly to sign Lodi permanently in the summer, but his tears after the Reds beat Arsenal 1-0 in May indicated that he was saying farewell.
Marseille were fortunate, but in January, he was signed by Al-Hilal, where he has appeared in the last four games.
Forest has not replaced fan-favourite left-back.
It was always going to be difficult to find a player that could come in and make the same effect at Forest as Lodi.
Lodi replaced Nuno Tavares at Marseille, and the 24-year-old has joined Forest on loan for the current season.
However, he hasn’t made the same impression as Lodi, and Harry Toffolo has been obliged to come in.
Then there’s Ola Aina, who’s also been tasked with filling the Lodi hole.
Although he has been a highly successful free agent, he has spent a lot of time injured, and he is particularly comfortable at left-back.
Although fans would love to see Lodi strut his stuff at Forest, it’s difficult not to feel a little thrilled for the defender following this later achievement.
