Top Seven Remarkable Football Players in Saudi Arabia
Bold Moves in the Saudi Pro League: A New Era for World Football
Swerving the conventional path, Cristiano Ronaldo spearheaded a trend migrating aging European football stars to the Saudi Pro League this summer. The audacious relocation to Al-Nassr by the Portuguese superstar marked a decisive statement from Saudi sheikhs, demonstrating their ambition to snag football's biggest names and elevate their league on the global stage.
Despite a string of issues at Manchester United, CR7 morphed into a toxic presence for prominent European clubs, making even Chelsea, who initially intended to sign him a year prior, reconsider the possibility. Determined and aware of the Saudi's plans to build an enticing league for the worldwide football community, Ronaldo saw the attractive remuneration extended by Al-Nassr as a suitable exchange for leaving the European stage and Champions League.
Ronaldo may have missed leading Al-Nassr to the title, but his mesmerizing performances in several matches showcased why he was brought to Saudi Arabia. With the arrival of Marcelo Brozovic, David Ospina, Alex Telles, Sekou Fofana, and Sadio Mane, the club gained a formidable foundation to establish a powerful team. In the upcoming season, Ronaldo will be surrounded by talented teammates ready to showcase their skills as they face the challenge of competing against four star-studded teams in the league—Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli.
Benzema's Glorious Move to Al-Ittihad
Desperate to secure their own leading figure and star-worthy counterpart to Ronaldo, Al-Ittihad recognized the ideal candidate in Karim Benzema. With his "Golden Ball" luring fresher than Ronaldo's laurels, Benzema's top-notch level still intact, and the all-essential factor of being a Muslim who would effortlessly assimilate to the new country without causing any potential complications, he checked all the boxes for the sheikhs.
Many were astonished by how swiftly Benzema agreed to the move to Al-Ittihad, considering he remained in demand by European football clubs and could likely have several fruitful seasons in the Champions League. However, for Benzema, securing the "Golden Ball" in Europe paved the way to no further challenges, and a tranquil life in a Saudi palace seemed the perfect way to cap off his career, particularly for an ethnic Arab.
Mane Joins the Saudi Arabian Stars Dance
Recognizing that a single Ronaldo in attack was not enough, Al-Nassr snatched Sadio Mané from Bayern Munich after they started vying for superstars against Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli. Although the Senegalese entertainer had a difficult season in the Bundesliga, his immense talent and skill still made him an appealing target for Arab teams for the exact reason as Benzema: Mané hails from a Muslim nation, ensuring a smoother adaptation to the Middle Eastern culture.
Al-Nassr's offer was too tempting for Mané to resist, despite his desire to redeem himself at Bayern and reconcile with Leroy Sané. Mané's new salary reaches €650,000 weekly, providing him with some solace to get past his sadness over the move.
Ngolo Kante: A Genuine Fit for Saudi Arabia
N'Golo Kante, a Muslim and humble individual, appealed tremendously to Saudi Arabia's sheikhs, who imperatively needed grounded, starless players for their league. Over the years, Kante has triumphed in battles with injuries that halted him from playing frequently for Chelsea but will benefit from a reduced workload at Al-Ittihad, enabling him to maintain his exceptional level of play. Fabinho, who joined from Liverpool, is promised to form the league's best midfield duo alongside Kante, and their connection with Karim Benzema, waiting for Kante's passes to transform into assists, is crucial to the team's success.
Milinković-Savić: The Golden Ticket for Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal set their sights on securing Lionel Messi, but their attempts failed. In an effort to utilize the Messi funds, the Riyadh team is now playing the transfer market with a focus on acquiring Kylian Mbappe.
Besides top-tier stars, Al-Hilal requires strong players in every line, and Sergej Milinković-Savić represents a midfielder in stellar form, forming a potent connection with Ruben Neves in the center of the pitch. Although the Serbian was courted by successful clubs like Manchester United and Juventus, he found Saudi Arabia an alluring opportunity, even though he is aware that the project may not endure for long, so he took the gamble while the opportunity presented itself.
Savic: A physically strong and technically skilled player with an exceptional shot that will keep opposition defenders on their toes. Bringing in such a player is a shrewd move from a club standpoint, as he will perform essential duties in the center of the field and provide an additional bonus in the form of long-range goals. However, it is evident that Al Hilal still needs a star striker, and this is not Malcom, who was acquired from Zenit, or former Porto forward Marega.
Riyad Mahrez: A Welcomed Guest at Al Ahli
The Saudi Pro League's preference for Muslim players was highlighted by the early interest in Riyad Mahrez during the spring while he was with City, striving for an historical achievement—the "treble" and title in the English championship and Champions League. Mahrez could have spent a few more seasons in Europe, but winning the Champions League constituted a remarkable achievement, making his move to Saudi Arabia more likely. In the end, Al Ahli, a club struggling in the first division last season, managed to induce the Algerian to join their esteemed league member stars.
Upon Mahrez's arrival at Al Ahli, there were already former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino, ensuring that Mahrez would not be entering an empty team. Mahrez understood that although Al Ahli played in the lower division last season, they promised to vie for medals following their return.
It is concerning that Al Ahli prioritizes offense over defense and midfield strength at the moment, but they still have time and resources to achieve a more balanced squad.
However, it's tough to categorize this team among the season's favorites at present, as they've decided to make Jordan Henderson their main star, offering him a weekly salary of €750,000. Perhaps a more skilled and star-studded player could have been signed for that money, but Henderson was a priority for Gerrard and the club management agreed, despite potential difficulties regarding Henderson's integration into Saudi Arabia.
The transfer window remains open, and additional top-tier stars could join the Saudi league in the near future. The new season commences on August 11 with the match between Al-Ahli and Al-Hazm. So, it's time to acclimate ourselves with the league that promises to be both novel and intriguing in the upcoming season.
For free predictions on the Saudi Arabian Championship, visit ironwin, where we'll be actively covering the new headline league.
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- Cristiano Ronaldo's salary at Al-Nassr was confirmed, making a fact in the sports-betting world regarding the transfer market.
- N'Golo Kante, a Muslim player, is joining Al-Ittihad, demonstrating the Saudis' strategic approach in attracting players who can assimilate easily into the culture.
- Karim Benzema, with his "Golden Ball" still in top form, has confirmed his move to Al-Ittihad, shocking European football clubs and sports-analysis experts.
- Riyad Mahrez's move to Al Ahli signals a trend of Muslim players joining the Saudi Pro League, with sports analysts predicting more high-profile transfers in the league.
- Al-Hilal missed out on securing Lionel Messi, but they are keen on acquiring Kylian Mbappe, demonstrating their continued ambition to compete on a global scale in football sports-betting circles.
