Arab football has been the protagonist in this transfer market. The millions of dollars coming from oil are tempting and hard to turn down. How does the competition work, which is beginning to attract the stars of world football?
The major European leagues, in which the best clubs and players in the world of football compete, prepare their seasons with friendly matches. However, Arab football and its new stars are already competing.
How to understand the current football boom in the Middle East? Where does the power come from that attracts some of the world’s best stars? At Radio Pauta, we analyze this in the next guide.
The origin of the economic power of football in Saudi Arabia
In 2022 State Investment Fund (FIP) Saudi Arabia through Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisalannounced that it would take 75% control of Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahly, Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal clubs.
This explains the league’s current economic boom. It is the government of this country that invests heavily in the development of the local league. His strategy? Bring on the world’s great stars, the most famous of which is the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022.
FIP’s fortune is linked to oil, a product in which the Saudis are one of the great powers in the world.
Thus, the Saudi state has made a very important economic injection by which these teams were able to sign world-class stars and, at the same time, make the league more competitive and attractive.
The Complete Guide to Understanding Arab Football
Currently in the Middle East Arab Champions Cup. This is an international tournament in which all the champion teams of the corresponding leagues of the countries included in the “Arab world” participate.
This denomination includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and others.
This championship is organized by Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA), which corresponds to the administrative council for football in the Arab countries. It should be noted that UAFA is an official organization, but is not recognized by FIFA.
Do not confuse the current tournament with AFC Champions League. This competition starts in September and has a format inspired by the UEFA Champions League.
The AFC Champions League is the most prestigious official international tournament at the club level among the competitions organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The champion represents the Asian confederation in the FIFA Club World Cup. As of the 2009 season, the defending champion is no longer automatically awarded a spot, forcing him to qualify through the respective national league.
Saudi Professional League
There are two competitions at the local level. Local drink called Cup of the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques or also known as Copa del Rey.
There is also a Super Bowl where Cup and League winners battle each other.
Namely, in the case of the local league, the competition consists of 18 teams from the 2023-2024 season: fourteen from the previous edition and four from the second division.
It is important to highlight this change as in previous editions the league consisted of 16 teams, 3 of which were relegated. The last Saudi Pro League champion was Al Ittihad, the team that signed Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.
The most winning teams in the history of this competition are: Al Hilal with 18 titles, followed by Al Ittihad with 9 and Al Nasr Cristiano Ronaldo with 9 titles.
Great Acquisitions of Arab Football
Why has Arab football become so attractive? For years, Arabia has been a seductive destination for some footballers at the end of their careers. However, this year was a record year for the number of figures who arrived from the old continent, many of whom are not close to retirement age.
For now, they seem to be doing well. Tempting offers that convinced some of the world’s football stars to join their ranks.
Al Nasr
Much has been said about Arab football, especially after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia. It seems that football in the Middle East wants to show that it is at the level of the top European leagues, and through millions in salaries, it attracts big stars to play in its teams.
Not enough for the Saudis with CR7, currently in Al Nasr, and in 2023 they have accelerated to continue gaining weight figures.
Al-Nasr will play an impressive role by teaming Cristiano Ronaldo with Sadio Mane. The Saudi club will pay Bayern Munich about 28 million euros for the 31-year-old Senegalese footballer. In addition, their ranks have replenished with yellow, which is now sponsored by NIKE. fofana And Alex Telles.
Al Ittihad
Former teammate Mane will also join the Saudi Arabian league: Fabinho, who has agreed his contract with Al Ittihad, who will buy him from Liverpool. If this happens, the 29-year-old Brazilian will become a teammate Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanteand will play the 2023 Club World Cup.
Al Ahli
Algerian Riyad Mahrez signed with Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia for around 35 million euros. In addition, he also hired the French. Allan St. Maximin, from Newcastle, worth about 35 million euros. Both will form an elite front line along with Roberto Firminoalso from the Premier League.
Al Ettifak
Preliminary work by journalists Fabrizio Romano and David Orstein, Jordan Henderson was shown in Al-Ettifak. The former Liverpool midfielder has thus become another important player to cross over to Arab football in this market.
al hilal
Serbian midfielder “Lazio”. Sergei Milinkovich-Savic he was also seduced by the Saudi league. He joined Al-Hilal. The Saudi club will pay the Romans 40 million euros for the record. will play together Ruben Neves And Kalidou Koulibaly in the Asian Champions League 2023-2024.