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Saudi Arabia has announced a massive investment plan to boost its domestic football league and attract some of the world’s best players. The Ministry of Sport has allocated £17 billion for Saudi Pro League transfers between 2023 and 2030, according to reports. The Saudi Pro League has already seen some remarkable signings in 2023, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves joining clubs in the Middle East.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner started the trend when he moved to Al-Nassr from Manchester United in January, signing a lucrative contract worth £173 million per season. His former Real Madrid teammate Benzema followed him to join Saudi club Al Ittihad in the summer, earning £172 million per season. Kante left Chelsea after seven years and joined his compatriot Benzema at Al Ittihad on a free transfer, pocketing £86.2 million per season. Koulibaly and Neves also moved to Al Hilal from Chelsea and Wolves respectively, securing deals worth £30 million and £16 million per season.
But the Saudi Pro League is not satisfied with these star-studded arrivals. The league is targeting more big names in the near future, including Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, and Robert Lewandowski, according to Ben Jacobs. Mbappe has been the subject of a world-record bid of over £259 million from Al Hilal, which also includes a £775 million wage package for the French striker.
Messi, who was out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain next summer, had been linked with a move to Al Hilal, where he could have reunited with his arch-rival Ronaldo. Modric and Lewandowski, who are both in their 30s and have won multiple trophies with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and Barcelona respectively, are also on the radar of Saudi clubs, who are reportedly willing to offer them lucrative contracts to end their careers in the Gulf state.
The Saudi Pro League’s ambition is to become one of the most competitive and attractive leagues in the world, as well as to promote the country’s image and tourism. The league is backed by the sovereign wealth fund – Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which has a stake in several clubs and has been involved in various sports projects in Saudi Arabia. The league has also improved its infrastructure, facilities, and broadcasting rights, as well as staging all-star exhibition games featuring some of its best players.
The Saudi Pro League’s spending spree has raised some eyebrows and questions in the football world, especially regarding the financial fair play rules, the human rights situation, and the sustainability of the project. However, the league has shown no signs of slowing down its pursuit of global stars and glory. Whether it will succeed or not remains to be seen.
