Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, League One, Bundesliga… This is how football lovers can watch their league football preferences. With the new season, an unexpected guest is entering this category – Saudi Pro League.
That arrival is powerful enough to change the equations of world football. The European football world is looking at this revolution, which is a continuation of the fame that the Arab world gained through the Qatar World Cup, but with a little envy and contempt – the same attitude shown to the Qatar World Cup.
However, the Arab world, especially the Saudi government, believes that the Saudi Pro League will be a ‘winning project’ just like Qatar was a huge success. If that happens, an Arab Spring will be born in football.
The picture changes
The Saudi Pro League began to feature in the football pages since the arrival of the legendary player Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United to Al Nasr last season. The picture will change with this season. Because, the various Saudi clubs have already netted a handful of big players who filled the fields of Europe until the end of the season.
Although the summer transfer window is open in Europe, the major gainers have been proleague teams. This year, the whistle blew for the Saudi League discussions due to speculations involving Lionel Messi and Al Hilal. However, Messi joined the MLS. However, the very next day, the current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema arrived at Al Ittihad, and the Saudi League negotiations kicked off again.
N’Golo Kanna, a teammate of the French national team and Chelsea’s playmaker, joined the same team. The European transfer window was literally rocked with the signing of Senegalese defender Khaled Koulibaly from Chelsea to Al Hilal and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to Al Ahly.
It was a torrential downpour. Five big transfers were made by different Saudi teams in a single day. Marcelo Brazovic was picked up by Al Nasr from the interior. English legend Steven Gerade became the coach of Al Itifaq. Al Ittihad caught the young Portuguese player Jota. Al Ahli also acquired Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino.
Football media predicts that this trend will continue. According to CBS Sports, Neymar himself is also on Al Hilal’s radar. Big names like Bernardo Silva from Manchester City and Jordan Henderson from Liverpool are also likely to arrive.
Saudi’s ‘Vision 2030’
With the aim of becoming the world’s leading economic power, the Saudi government under the leadership of Crown Prince Amir Mohammed bin Salman is moving forward with the reform plans that will change the face of the country under the name of ‘Vision 2030’. The field of sports, especially football, is an important stepping stone towards it. They are ahead of the leap achieved by the neighboring country Qatar through the World Cup. It is the government that sponsors the giants Al Nasr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad in the pro league.
It wasn’t just his football that brought Cristiano to Al Nasr for a record fee; By doing so, they saw the visibility, capital and commercial benefits the country would receive. This season’s star streak is proof that that goal has been achieved early on. Cristiano Ronaldo’s words that the Saudi league will be one of the ‘top five leagues’ in the world within four or five years is not something to be laughed at.
What is the benefit of the stars?
The first answer is a great and unexpected salary in a relatively low-stress work environment. Actors who are in the twilight of their career cannot get a bigger offer than this. When the speed and agility on the field decreased, it was usual to switch to the Chinese league and MLS.
It is that position that Saudi has achieved in no time. However, this time, more players who have reached the middle stage of their career than veteran players have reached the Saudi League. Another contributing factor is the pay discrimination and racist attacks faced by non-English players in the European transfer market.
Malayalees are also happy
Saudi Arabia is a country where lakhs of Malayalis work. There will be an opportunity to see the stars seen only on television and mobile screens in person on the playgrounds of Riyadh and Jeddah. Apart from watching the stars, they will be lucky enough to enjoy high-quality football.
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2023-07-10 01:12:45
#Arab #spring #football #born #Madhyamam
