World’s biggest football stars making a beeline for cash-rich Saudi Pro League
With the aim of hosting the World Cup in 2030, Saudi Arabia is trying its best to make its local league bigger and better by luring some of the world’s best players. The country’s clubs have no dearth or money for sure, as many of them are owned or co-owned by members of the royal family of the oil-rich nation.
Cristiano Ronaldo became one of the biggest signings in any league on December 31, 2022 when he joined Al Nassr on a two-year contract at €200 million per season.
Now, his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema has joined Al Ittihad, the current Saudi Pro League champion, after spending 14 years at the Spanish giants.
He will be paid €100 million per season, plus a bonus of €20 million to work as an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is bidding to host.
Several other players are being linked to the cash-rich league. There is Lionel Messi, who has left PSG after two seasons, though he is also being linked to a return to Barcelona as well as to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham.
The list includes Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, Tottenham and former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and his France teammate and Chelsea star N’Golo Kante. All are at the tail-end of their careers.
Kante is also said to be on the verge of agreeing terms to join Al Ittihad, for a two-year deal worth £86 million per season.
