Saudi "Pensioners' Group" Drops Old Tactics
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) is undergoing a significant transformation, aiming to become one of the world's top football leagues and improve the country's global image. This strategy involves massive financial investment, infrastructure upgrades, strategic marketing, and efforts towards privatisation and professionalisation.
Key to this strategy is the luring of top European players with highly competitive wages, tax incentives, and ambassadorial roles. Cristiano Ronaldo's landmark deal with Al Nassr, reportedly worth around $200 million per year, serves as a flagship case demonstrating the league's financial commitment to attracting elite talent.
The SPL's clubs are also encouraged to enhance their internal structures, with larger support budgets aimed at building sustainable competitiveness. The league is investing in advanced football infrastructures and scientific support systems, such as analytics start-ups within club labs and cryotherapy recovery facilities, to provide a high-performance environment.
Recent managerial appointments, like Jorge Jesus at Al Nassr, further raise the league's technical standards and reputation. While the SPL aspires to establish stronger competitive ties with European football, efforts continue to increase international presence through broadcasting deals and hosting global events such as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which is already scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The focus on acquiring top talents, both veterans and young, sought-after players, continues in Saudi Arabia's efforts to revamp its football league. Mateo Retegui, Theo Hernandez, and young Brazilian Gabriel Carvalho are among the recent recruits, joining clubs in the current transfer window. João Félix, previously Portugal's highly-touted prospect and Cristiano Ronaldo's potential successor, moved to Al-Nassr for €127 million, while Jhon Duran was signed for €77 million.
Saudi Arabia is enticing young top European players with big money, moving away from focusing solely on aging stars. This shift is evident in the recruitment of sought-after talents like Mohamed Simakan from RB Leipzig and the decision of Brazilian teenager Gabriel Carvalho to stay in Saudi Arabia.
The strategy to achieve this involves five pillars, with the first being "development and acquisition of top talents." The SPL's commitment to this goal is evident in the high-profile transfers and managerial appointments, showcasing the evolving strategy that positions the Saudi Pro League as a rapidly emerging force in world football.
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) is not only investing in top European players to boost its football competitiveness, but also focusing on developing young talents, as demonstrated by the acquisition of João Félix and Mohamed Simakan. This community aid, in the form of financial aid for clubs, is a crucial part of the SPL's strategy to become a leading sports-analysis powerhouse in the world, particularly in football.
