Hungry for sport, he grew up to the sound of Formula 1 engines and the exploits of Ronaldinho. Today, a graduate of a Master’s degree in sports journalism, he no longer misses an F1 Grand Prix or a PSG match, his two passions and specialties.
The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo was just an appetizer. Indeed, Saudi Arabia panics the transfer window this summer by recruiting many stars, some of whom are far from retirement. A revolution on the transfer market, but that does not surprise Bafétimbi Gomis who evolved in Al-Hilal and who has excellent memories of his time in the Saudi championship.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo To Al-Nasr during the previous winter transfer window was therefore not just an announcement effect. And for good reason, this summer, Saudi Arabia is hitting hard. Bought by the PIF, the state investment fund, four clubs have taken everything on the market. Al-Nasr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad et Al-Ahly struck very hard by sharing some big names in football, namely Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, Ngolo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez or Roberto Firmino to recite nobody else but them. And it’s still far from over. Bafetimbi Gomiswhich evolved to Al-Hilalstill announces heavy.
PSG: Saudi Arabia launches Operation Neymar! pic.twitter.com/8ND7raOXuy
— le10sport (@le10sport) August 8, 2023
“The stadiums were full before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo”
“The stadiums were full before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, (Sadio) Mané or N’Golo Kanté. Saudi Arabia has insane means but it is a real football country. He demonstrated it with his victory against Argentina at the World Cup (2-1 in the group stage, November 22). I think this success weighed in accelerating the process. They want to invest more to gain visibility and are smart about their development. They also bring in great coaches and technical directors. Their ambition is also to build teams capable of competing in the future FIFA Club World Cup. This year, Al-Hilal lost in the final against Real Madrid (3-5)”, assures the former French international in an interview with L’EQUIPE before justifying the huge salaries offered by Saudi clubs.
“It’s huge, and it’s not over!”
“It’s huge, and it’s not over! A lot of players or agents have called me to find out how to get there. It is no longer just the Saudi clubs that canvass the players. Today, we can no longer speak of an “exotic” Championship for Saudi Arabia! Saudi leaders master their strategy. Transfer fees remain in market proportions. They must compete with the big European clubs on the same targets. PSG had this policy to seduce too … They have no choice. Great players come at a price. Some like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or N’Golo Kanté have reached the end of their contract. Their salaries can also be explained like this, ”adds Bafetimbi Gomis.
2023-08-10 01:32:34
#Cristiano #Ronaldo #Benzema #Revolution #transfer #window #tells
