What draws players to Saudi Arabia? Citing the causes of stars' emigration from Europe.
As more players move to the Middle East in the wake of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League is becoming more and more prestigious.
While Benzema recently announced his transfer from Real Madrid to Al Ittihad, Ronaldo relocated to Saudi Arabia in January after leaving Manchester United.
N'Golo Kante, a three-time champion of the Premier League, the Champions League, and the World Cup, joins fellow countryman Karim Benzema at the Saudi champions, while 26-year-old Ruben Neves decides to leave Europe after Wolves accepted a £47.2 million ($60 million) offer from Al Hilal.
What draws athletes to Saudi Arabia?
Transferring Neves shocked a lot of fans as he was constantly linked with the likes of Barcelona and Man United. European football is often considered the pinnacle of the sport at club level, largely down to the Champions League.
The simple answer as to why players are going to Saudi Arabia is money. Most footballers will retire from the sport in their late thirties, providing they haven't been forced into an early end by injuries. Therefore, maximizing their earnings can often be a priority over competing for bigger trophies.
For example, Neves was reportedly earning around £4m ($5.1m) per year with Wolves. He is now set to earn an estimate of £12m ($15.3m) a year at Al Hilal, tripling his salary in Riyadh.
A similar situation occurred in the sport of golf as players left the PGA Tour to join Saudi-funded LIV International Golf Series. This is was due to the financial benefits, which outweighed the PGA Tour incentives for some of the best players in the sport.
Why is Saudi Arabia paying big money for stars?
As Saudi Pro League teams do not compete in the Champions League or face teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid on a regular basis, they needed another way to improve the rosters of their teams.
Offering large sums of money for stars who are still yet to reach the peak of their career boosts the reputation of the league as well as the competitive nature between teams. This will encourage more players like Neves, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech to join the league.
Bringing over Ronaldo and Benzema, who have both won the Ballon d'Or, will also show other older players that the Saudi Pro League is a viable option for a final destination like MLS or Chinese Super League.
How much money Saudi Arabian teams spent on big names?
Although Saudi Arabian teams are spending a lot on new players, most of their money goes toward their wages. Neves is currently the league's biggest signing, with the second-highest transfer (Ahmed Musa to Al Nassr) coming in at £14.2m ($18m).
Here are the total market values of each team in the Saudi Pro League according to transfer market. Al Nassr currently led the way thanks to the acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Who are Saudi Arabian team owners? The Saudi Pro League clubs are being privatized as part of a government initiative to advance the growth of the game in the nation. According to Saudi Arabia's minister of sport, the modifications will help the league rank among the top ten in the world.
In addition to owning an 85% stake in Newcastle, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) also holds 75% stakes in Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Itiihad. Aramco, a Saudi Arabian oil company, plans to acquire a portion of Al Qadsia, and Neom has acquired a portion of Al Suqoor FC.
These investments by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other Saudi Arabian entities demonstrate their commitment to not only developing Newcastle but also strengthening the overall football infrastructure in the country. By acquiring stakes in multiple clubs, they aim to improve the competitiveness and performance of Saudi Arabian football as a whole. Additionally, these partnerships with major companies like Aramco and Neom further highlight the financial backing and support that Saudi Arabia is providing to its football industry.
Lucrative contracts offered to footballers in Saudi Arabia have also played a significant role in attracting top talent from around the world. This influx of skilled players has not only elevated the level of competition within the league but has also helped to raise the profile of Saudi Arabian football on an international scale. Again, the absence of income tax in the country, leading to higher net earnings for players , has been another factor that has enticed footballers to choose Saudi Arabia as their destination. Additionally, the state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class facilities provided by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation have further contributed to the growth and development of the football industry in the country.
In conclusion, the combination of financial incentives, top-notch facilities, and a supportive football federation has solidified Saudi Arabia's position as a desirable destination for football players. With its increasing profile on the international stage, it is clear that Saudi Arabian football is on a path of continuous growth and success.
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