The Saudi Pro League, with its seemingly bottomless coffers, has emerged not only as a prominent contender on its own, but also as a potential rival to the traditional European leagues in attracting top-tier global football stars. This transformation is far from surprising, occurring within less than a year since Cristiano Ronaldo set the trend by joining Al-Nassr.
A few months ago, when Ronaldo suggested that the Saudi Pro League could become one of the most captivating leagues, potentially even breaking into the top 5 best national leagues worldwide, the world responded with skepticism and mockery. However, Europe is now feeling the heat from the Arabian desert, and the impact is growing more serious by the day. The lesson here is to never underestimate the statements made by one of the finest footballing individuals in history.
This trend started with the likes of Ronaldo, a superstar who had already peaked in his career. Subsequently, it reached players who were still at their peak but starting to transition downward, such as Benzema, Neymar, Mahrez, Mané, and Kante, among others (even Salah, though he and Liverpool declined). Gradually, even players in the prime of their careers, like Brozović, Kessié, Ruben Neves, Milinković-Savić, and Saint-Maximin, have been drawn into this shift. Now, it extends to the raw gems awaiting further polishing, like Veiga. The perception that the Arab realm merely serves as a “retirement haven,” similar to China or the United States in the past, has dwindled and is fast fading away.
This serves as a powerful warning signal to Europe. Without prompt adjustments to enhance the appeal, competitiveness, and professional value of their leagues (to counterbalance the influx of Arab money), coupled with better treatment of players (rather than subjecting them to the current exhaustive schedules, which result in a slew of injuries), along with more efficient club management, European football could soon be surpassed by the land of sand and oil. The immediate future goes beyond the 2030 milestone (the speculated World Cup host year), as Saudi Arabia recently announced it would not vie for this bid but rather earmark it for future editions, underscoring that the race ahead between the old continent and the desert realm is still a lengthy one.
In the tale of Veiga, recent remarks have been made by both Celta Vigo and Real Madrid’s managers, as well as investigative sports journalist Romain Molina:
Carlo Ancelotti: “The truth is that football in the Arab world provides more financial rewards than in Europe. This is what’s happening, and people can do whatever they want. Clearly, international governing bodies need to evaluate this issue wisely and make necessary decisions to balance the market.” (A note of concern?)
Rafa Benítez: “Veiga’s move to Al-Ahli, though unwanted, will benefit our club financially.” (A sign of helplessness due to inefficient management leading to the club’s financial vulnerability, a scenario mirrored in several Spanish clubs?)
Romain Molina: “It must be said that Spanish clubs are somewhat hypocritical about Saudi Arabia. Many clubs are in dire need of funds, so if a transfer proposal arrives, most would gladly accept it.”
The Arabian surge stands as a stark reminder that change is imperative in European football, lest it finds itself overshadowed by a new era of footballing prowess emerging from the sands and oilfields.
