How Saudi Arabia wants to be in the top 10 football leagues by 2030
Saudi Arabia’s football landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation asthe nation embarks on a mission to esta…
Saudi Arabia’s football landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation as
the nation embarks on a mission to establish itself as a global sports center. The
the recent influx of high-profile football signings has drawn comparisons to China’s
messy entry to the market.
However, Saudi Arabia is taking a more strategic approach, aiming to diversify its economy, project a modern image and capitalize on the popularity of football to attract tourism and global attention. While the Saudi Pro League welcomes renowned players, the country’s football revolution holds both promise and challenge.
Saudi Arabia’s vision
Headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia
aims to reduce dependence on oil by targeting multiple sources of money-making markets. Building a strong football league is an important part of this strategy. As a result, it improves its global reputation, attracts investment and showcases the nation as a modern and innovative destination.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF), with significant financial resources, has played a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s football ambitions. The country aims to elevate its football league to the global top 10 in terms of revenue generation by 2030.
Learning from China’s experience
China’s ill-fated spending spree in football serves as an essential lesson for
Saudi Arabia. China’s initial approach of buying star players resulted in bankruptcies, corruption scandals and a lack of substantial improvement in football standards. To address these issues, the Chinese government stepped in with transfer taxes, salary caps and more. As a result, many clubs from all corners of the Chinese football pyramid fell.
Economic slowdown, indebted club owners and the impact of the pandemic further hampered China’s football ambitions. Saudi Arabia undoubtedly wants to learn from these mistakes and take a different path to sustainable growth.
high-profile signatures:
The Saudi Pro League has certainly witnessed an impressive influx of talent, with some notable players joining Saudi clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s all-time greats, signed with Al-Nassr in December, followed by the arrival of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad.
Al-Hilal, the most successful team in Saudi Arabia and Asia, secured the services of Rúben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly. Édouard Mendy, Chelsea’s star goalkeeper who couldn’t recover from a period of poor form, joined Al-Ahli. Above all, this high-profile signing has generated a lot of excitement and international attention.
Strengths and challenges
Compared to China, Saudi Arabia has certain advantages that bode well
for his football revolution. The country already has a strong football presence in it
terms of continental success, international exposure and quality abroad
players.
The financial support from the PIF, which oversees major football clubs and other sports investments, provides the necessary resources to attract top talent and invest in infrastructure and development. However, challenges remain. Previous examples of financial mismanagement, debt and unpaid salaries within Saudi Arabian clubs demonstrate the need for effective governance and financial stability in the league.
The cultural factor
Religion and culture, in addition to financial considerations, play a role in Saudi Arabia’s football ambitions. Players such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and others have expressed their attraction to the country for its status as a Muslim nation and the significance of religious places such as Mecca.
While faith may play a minor role in recruiting players, it ties into the country’s cultural ties and resonates with local and regional audiences. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing a unique environment rooted in Islamic values and traditions demonstrates its commitment to creating a distinctive football experience. In comparison, major leagues such as the French Ligue 1 do forbidden players of breaking the fast during Ramadan, a lack of tolerance and ignorance towards Muslim players.
Conclusion
As shown above, Saudi Arabia’s football revolution represents a promising path forward for the nation. Saudi Arabia is learning from China’s pitfalls and taking a more measured and strategic approach to building a sustainable football ecosystem. The involvement of the PIF, high-profile player acquisitions and also a focus on effective governance contribute to its potential success.
However, challenges in managing finances, ensuring competitive balance and maintaining long-term sustainability must be addressed. Despite public criticism from fans and pundits alike, Saudi Arabia is holding on to its expensive acquisitions. As Saudi Arabia’s football league gains momentum, the world eagerly awaits to see if it can establish itself as a major player on the global football stage propelled by its vision of economic diversification and sporting excellence.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ABACAPRESS
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