Cristiano Ronaldo (38) made the start in January and became the first top star to move to Saudi Arabia. Karim Benzema (35), Neymar (31) and numerous other figureheads of European football followed the Portuguese superstar to the desert in the summer.
The sheikhs’ goals quickly became clear. And they were clearly formulated: The Saudi Pro League should become one of the best football leagues in the world within a very short time.
Jota: once to Saudi Arabia and back again?
In order to put this ambitious goal into practice, the clubs there need driving forces from Europe. And the sheikhs eagerly pulled out the checkbook in the summer. And the stars hired in the desert for dream salaries.
So does Jota (24). The Portuguese left winger is considered a great talent. In the summer of 2021, the Benfica talent, who scored five times in 18 appearances for the Portuguese U21, moved from home to other European countries. Initially on loan, but after one season the top Scottish club Celtic Glasgow signed the top talent for 16 million euros.
In Scotland, the tricky Portuguese quickly became a crowd favorite. In 83 competitive games he scored 28 goals and prepared 26 goals in Scotland. This brought the Saudis into action.
Jota moved from Glasgow to Al-Ittihad in Jeddah in the summer for 29 million euros. Jota was rewarded handsomely for the change. He collects £200,000 a week there. And that for three years.
After a successful debut with five appearances and one goal, Jota’s glory in Saudi Arabia was quickly over. Because each club is only allowed to register eight foreign professionals. But Al-Ittihad was apparently on a spending spree and signed too many foreigners.
Jota is currently the number nine foreigner at Al-Ittihad. And can therefore see his clubmates Karim Benzema (France), N’Golo Kanté (32, France), Fabinho (29, Brazil), Luiz Felipe (26, Brazil), Romarinho (32, Brazil), Igor Coronado (31, Brazil) , Abderrazak Hamdallah (32, Morocco) and Marcelo Grohe (36, Brazil) just watch in the league.
A real nightmare for Jota. He is now not allowed to practice his profession as a footballer until January 2024. And that’s why he wants to leave again. Preferably immediately – even though Jota is no longer allowed to move in Europe until the winter transfer window.
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Now Jota is back at the negotiating table with Al-Ittihad. And again it’s about the money. Jota is seeking to terminate his contract with the Saudis, but does not want to forego the negotiated salary. Since money only plays a minor role in the Saudi Pro League, Jota’s plan could even work.
Then Jota would collect around £30 million for six months in the desert. Not a bad deal for the Portuguese. There are apparently several interested parties. Clubs from Italy, Spain and England are said to be interested in a transfer.
2023-09-23 13:59:24
#months #soccer #star #leave #Saudi #Arabia
