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The Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFA) is reportedly in talks with UEFA, the governing body of European football, to secure a wild card entry for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) winner in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) from 2025 onwards. This would be a historic move that would boost the profile and prestige of Saudi football, as well as create more opportunities and challenges for its clubs and players.
The SPL, also known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for sponsorship reasons, is the highest division of association football in Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1976 and currently consists of 18 teams, with Al-Hilal, being the most successful club with 18 titles. The SPL has been growing in popularity and quality in recent years, thanks to investment and support from the Saudi government and the Vision 2030 initiative.
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The SPL has also attracted some big names and talents from around the world, such as Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema, who have joined various teams in the league and are the most likely candidates to represent Saudi Arabian clubs in the UCL if the wild card deal goes through. It will also mean that Ronaldo returns to the prestigious UCL, where he has an outstanding record of 140 goals.
According to Calcio Finanza, the SAFA is in talks with the UEFA about having a Saudi team in the UEFA Champions League in 2025. The possible inclusion of the SPL winner in the UCL would be a huge step for Saudi football and a recognition of its progress and ambition. It would also be a great opportunity for the SPL clubs to test themselves against the best teams and players in Europe, and to showcase their talent and quality to a global audience.
It would also be a challenge for them to adapt to a different style and level of football, and to cope with the pressure and expectations of competing in the most prestigious club tournament in the world. The transition is complicated and would surely include both the European and Asian Football Federations, depriving European clubs of a spot.
