Prominent figures in the football world, Neymar and Benzema, are among those who attest to the paradigm shift brought about by Ronaldo’s presence in Saudi Arabian football. “I truly believe that Ronaldo set the course for all of this. People might have said he was audacious, but today we witness the league growing stronger by the day,” Neymar remarked upon sealing his contract with Al Hilal. The Brazilian superstar is the latest to leave Europe and embark on his football journey in Saudi Arabia’s XEUT.
Neymar firmly believes that Ronaldo’s involvement has been a pivotal catalyst in attracting an influx of European talents to Saudi Arabian football over the past six months. Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in late 2022 was a defining moment, followed by other European luminaries such as Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Riyad Mahrez heading to the Middle East.
“Cristiano’s arrival created an allure. I knew it would be like this. He paved the way to the Saudi Arabian league, and now, it’s a journey many top-tier players are making,” Neymar commented. The prospect of competing against the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema, and Firmino adds a greater thrill and motivates Neymar to push himself further.
Neymar’s two-year contract with Al Hilal was accompanied by a staggering transfer fee of 90 million euros and a total compensation package of 160 million euros over the contract period. Brazilian media reports that Neymar initially hesitated about moving to Saudi Arabia, but no European club could match his salary and bonus demands. If leaving PSG, his destination would exclusively be Al Hilal.
“The Saudi Pro League boasts significant quality and resources at this juncture. I’ve heard and followed the long list of Brazilian players who have excelled in the XEUT league. Hence, I am confident this is where I want to be. Al Hilal is a colossal club with exceptional fans, the best in Asia. This solidifies my belief that I’ve made the right decision. I love winning and scoring goals. I’ll continue to do that here,” Neymar asserted with enthusiasm upon joining Al Hilal.
Ronaldo himself endorsed this evolution: “It’s fascinating to encounter top-quality players from various teams here.” These sentiments were expressed in a recent interview.
The SPL teams have become host to a constellation of talents, including:
-
Al Nassr: Ronaldo, David Ospina, Alex Telles, Ghislain Konan, Marcelo Brozovic, Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, Otavio, Laporte, Talisca
-
Al Ahli: Edouard Mendy, Franck Kessie, Ryad Boudebouz, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Saint-Maximin
-
Al Ittihad: Nuno Espirito Santo, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho, Jota, Karim Benzema
-
Al Duhail: Slaven Bilic, Jason Denayer
-
Al Hilal: Jorge Jesus, Kalidou Koulibaly, Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves, Malcom, Moussa Marega, Neymar Jr.
-
Al Ettifaq: Steven Gerrard, Marcel Tisserand, Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele
-
Al Shabab: Habib Diallo
Ronaldo’s perceptive foresight has shaped the Saudi Arabian football landscape, propelling the SPL to global prominence and drawing star players to its ranks. The league’s rapid ascent stands as a testament to the transformative power of strategic player transfers and visionary planning. As the world watches this evolution unfold, it’s a testament to how one individual’s influence can redefine an entire football ecosystem.
