Saudi Tsunami: Results Of The Saudi SPL Invasion

When Christiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for the Saudi Pro League in January, only a different set of eyes would have seen what would follow. Western media termed such transfers a move into oblivion and the exit of a legend, but the renowned R7 would change that narrative.

There are leagues football commentators call retirement leagues. News of transfers to such places are celebrated as a farewell. But what was still hidden to most club bosses was the power of a beloved image, and to a point, the motivational power of money.

Below are a list of players from European leagues who left for greener pastures to the fabulous kingdom of Saudi Arabia after being promised mouthwatering salaries.

Christiano Ronaldo:

Many think his contract with Al Nassr is worth 200m euros.

Al Nassr called the transfer ‘History in the making’ in their long-deleted tweet:

History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022.

Whatever they meant by that, the statement proved correct.

Since then the Portuguese star has won a trophy, his club is climbing up the stats board, and his fans would not let him disappear from the television screen.

Karim Benzema:

35 years old Benzema shocked the football-fans zone when he announced he had intentions of ending his days with the Spanish giants, Real Madrid. He backed up his statement with action by not signing a new contract with R. Madrid and leaving at the close of the the 2022/2023 football season, thereby becoming the second big fish to be captured by the Saudi money-net.

According to football enthusiast Fabrizio Romano, the contract was worth $643 million. That means he would be paid a 100m euros per year, with 20m euros added if he worked as an ambassador for the 2030 world cup in the favour of Saudi Arabia. Countries like Spain are also bidding to host the competition.

 

The Frenchman’s new club are the kings of the Saudi Pro League. This means that Christiano’s efforts to drive his club to the peak of mountain translates to beating his former teammate at Real Madrid on the way.

Neymar:

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior moved to another club Al Hilal in the Saudi signing frenzy that saw many European clubs lose players they cherished to the charms of the Saudi football princes.

Commentators estimate Neymar’s move to be worth about 400m USD; and PSG received 102m USD for the transfer.

Neymar was very pleased to leave, and gave a reason:

I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places.

I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment. I have heard a lot and learned that I am following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired place.

Al Hilal is a giant club with fantastic fans, and it is the best in Asia. This gives me a feeling that it is the right decision for me at the right time with the right club. I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al Hilal.

N’Golo Kante:

The Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and World Cup champion joined Saudi club Al Ittihad following a 485m USD contract, after playing 7 years for Chelsea.

The Saudi club posted later saying, ‘Don’t believe in fake news. Kante is an Ittihad player now.’ They were quite excited by his arrival, while some from Chelsea replied with ‘Good riddance.’

Things had not been going well for Kante at that time at Chelsea because he missed 38 matches while being paid. It is clear he would have played if he were not recovering from an injury.

He teamed up with fellow Frenchman, Karim Benzema, to keep the Saudi champions at the top of the league.

Jordan Henderson:

The 33 year old Premier League Champion left Liverpool to play for Al Etitifaq, eyeing a pay worth $900,000 per week. He went to work with his former team mate at Liverpool, the legendary Steven Gerrard.

 

Kalidou Koulibaly:

The Senegalese made a three-years deal with Al Hilal. The transfer fee was reportedly $21.6m.

Edouard Mendy:

Senegalese and former-Chelsea goalkeeper, Mendy, was swept away to Al Ahli  after a $20.24m transfer fee.

He will earn £9.4million per annum.

Roberto Firmino:

He earns $22 million (£17m) per season at Al Ahli. He left Liverpool when the Tsunami arrived as promises of greener pasture.

Sadio Mane:

His move to Al Nassr was on the basis of a £650,000 per week salary, and exemption from tax. He is in the picture above with Christiano Ronaldo when they celebrated a goal.

The transfer fee was £27.5m.

Some Other Players Caught In The Tsunami

Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan to Al Nassr), Seko Fofana (Lens to Al Nassr), Alex Telles (Manchester United to Al Nassr), Fabinho (Liverpool to Al-Ittihad), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City to Al Ahli), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio to Al Hilal), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers to Al Hilal) and Jota (Celtic to Al Ittihad).

Finally, many think the Liverpool star Mo Salah is under the Saudi Pro League rader. Also, the player seems minded to leave Britain too. But the truth will come to light by the end of Saudi SPL’s transfer window which is 7th September.

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