The exorbitant salaries offered by clubs in Saudi Arabia have convinced many players and coaches to work in the Saudi Arabian professional league, such as Sadio Mane, who signed with Al-Nasr on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia has attracted several football stars to its league since signing Cristiano Ronaldo with Al-Nasr earlier this year.
The first major star to follow in the footsteps of the Portuguese was none other than his Real Madrid teammate. Karim Benzema. Without any contract, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner signed with Al Ittihad in early June, signing a three-year deal.
A few days after the 35-year-old French striker did it, his compatriot did it N’Golo Kante the one who signed with the Jeddah team. At the end of his contract with Chelsea, the midfielder also took on a three-year commitment.
The 2018 world champion will form a prestigious double in midfield with the Brazilian Fabinho29 years old, from Liverpool, where he was one of the backbones of the Jurgen Klopp system.
Winning a historic treble with Manchester City Riyad Mahrez signed his signature for the next four years with Al Ahli, valued at US$38 million.
The last football star to reach the Saudi Arabian championship was Sadio Mane. The 31-year-old Senegalese international has signed a three-year deal with Al-Nasr for an annual salary close to $44 million.
Arabia attracts 30 year olds
In addition to the stars, the great names of world football, who turned 30 years old, went to the countries of the Persian Gulf.
Finalist of the last Champions League with Inter Milan, Croatian Marcelo Brozovic signed for three years with Al-Nasr.
Jordan Hendersonformer Liverpool captain, joined Al-Ettifaq until 2026. The 33-year-old has been heavily criticized for signing with a country where homosexuality is banned after supporting the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career.
Another “red” who went to Saudi Arabia is a player from the Brazilian national team. Roberto Firminowho will play for Al Ahli until 2026.
At the end of June, the club of Jeddah has already officially announced the arrival of the Senegalese national team goalkeeper. Edward Mendy31 year.
Another former Chelsea Kalidou Koulibaly, traded Stamford Bridge to Al Hilal. The 32-year-old defender would have signed with the Riyadh club for $25 million.
The trainers are coming
Backed by the country’s sovereign wealth fund (PIF), the Saudi league is also bringing in renowned techies by adding zeros to contracts.
Without a team after being sacked by Aston Villa in October. Stephen Gerrard conceded to Saudi Arabia’s proposals. The iconic former Liverpool captain has joined Al-Ettifak until 2025.
Former Croatian coach and 1998 World Cup semi-finalist against France. Slaven Bilic He will be in charge of Al-Fateh’s bench.
After leaving Fenerbahce in June, former Benfica coach Jorge JesusHe returned to Al-Hilal Bank, which he had already managed in 2018 and 2019.
The last coach to join the Saudi Pro League was a young German Matthias Jeisslewho signed with Al-Ahly from Salzburg.