Saudi League clubs have recently signed some of the world superstars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. and current Ballon D’or winner Karim Benzema. Thanks to them, Saudi Arabia is now a footballing hub for many top professionals around the World. Unfortunately, many football fans and pundits are unhappy with the decision and claim the Saudi Pro League is killing world football.
Saudi League’s Spending and Transfer Fee
Saudi Pro League has made many transfers from legends of the game to rising superstars this summer. They sit second in a spending spree, just behind the Premier League, with more than £700 m spent. The PL has spent a staggering £2.1b on transfers.
Most of the players Saudi clubs have recruited have arrived from Europe’s top 5 leagues and top clubs. However, this is not the first time they have signed top professionals. David Ospina, Anderson Talisca, Vincent Aboubakar and Ever Banega are some of the well-known players who have played in the Saudi Pro League at some point.
Another reason for clubs in the Saudi League signing some of the best players of this generation is the higher transfer fee. The selling clubs receive an astonishing transfer fee for players at the end of their contacts and careers. The clubs are unable to sell those players for a higher fee around Europe and not onto the grasps in terms of wages that Middle-East Clubs are ready to play.
Comparison With Top Leagues
Many top clubs around Europe, including Man City, Barcelona, Man United, and Chelsea, have spent billions of pounds on transfers over the years. Some clubs were even facing a transfer ban after breaking Financial Fair Play rules in some stages.
Like Europe’s top teams, Saudi League clubs are also trying to revolutionise and transform the League by spending millions of cash signing top players. This by no means concludes the fact that Saudi is destroying the football heritage.
High Wages and Tough Competition
Saudi Pro League ranked 54th best League in the World, and the country is trying to build a solid foundation and create its own identity on the World Stage. Thanks to the insane number of wages and the growing footballing infrastructure in the country, players are choosing the Saudi teams.
One of the GOATs of football, Cristiano Ronaldo, is earning around £173m per year with Al Nassr. Ronaldo’s Ex-team mate Karim Benzema will earn £200m. Neymar, the player hailed as the Future Ballon d’Or Winner will earn around £140m after moving to Al Hilal. Those wages are insane when compared to European football.
Al Hilal also offered the undisputed GOAT of football, Leo Messi, a staggering amount of almost a billion pounds contract offer for over two years. Thanks to the rejection of Messi, Neymar To Al Hilal transfer was a possibility. Ronaldo, Benzema and Neymar once dominated the La Liga at Real Madrid and Barcelona, the rival clubs. But now, he will play for three different competitors Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Hilal.
The Superstar’s arrivals can now take new heights in upcoming years. Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves, Fabinho, Eduardo Mendy, Aymeric Laporte and Kalidou Kouibaly are a few players to move from the Premier League. Besides the PL, Summer Transfer Window signings for Saudi League clubs includesMilinkovic-Savic, Sadio Mane, Jota, Marcelo Brozovoc, Moussa Dembele, Franck Kessie and Yassine Bounou.
The Bottom Line
The Saudi League project can lead to enhanced football structure, more TV coverage for viewership all around the World, and marketing in social media is a win-win situation for both clubs and players. Regardless of fans and pundits’ opinions on Saudi football clubs, they will attract more superstars from top leagues and clubs in upcoming years.
