Rise of the Saudi Arabian Professional League: Neymar’s Transfer and the Changing Football Landscape

2023-08-16 07:38:57

Neymar (left) signed a contract with Al-Hilal of the Saudi Arabian Professional League (SPL) on the 16th (Korean time). Al-Hilal club Twitter capture

Neymar (31) played once morest Al-Hilal of the Saudi Arabian Professional League (SPL) on the 16th (Korean time). 2 year contractsigned on ‘Archyde.com’ etc. Estimated Transfer Feeis 90 million euros (regarding 131.4 billion won), and the total compensation is 160 million euros (regarding 233.7 billion won). As a result, the talent of the century, who moved from FC Barcelona (Spain) to Paris Saint-Germain (France) in 2017 and was named the most expensive player in football history, burned its last spark in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Neymar headed to Saudi Arabia in Europe’s major leagues this summer thirtieth playerall. A Saudi wind has blown through the European football world. The penetration of oil money is not a recent thing, but the landscape of this summer is different from the past in many ways. Saudi Arabia fired a signal of reform by bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nasr), whose contract was terminated from Manchester United of the English Premier League (EPL) earlier this year, and last June. Saudi sovereign wealth fund(PIF) took over four prestigious clubs in Riyadh, the capital city, and launched a state-led league development plan in earnest. Since then, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Alan Saint-Maximin (Al-Ahli), N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad), Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves, Sergei Milinković Savic (Al-Hilal), etc. joined in

Al-Nasr’s Cristiano Ronaldo (front row right) cheers with teammates following beating Al-Hilal 2-1 in the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup final at the King Fahd Stadium in Tiaf, Saudi Arabia, on the 12th (local time). are doing Tiaf/AP Yonhap News

These names are familiar to fans of European soccer. The strategy of the United Arab Emirates (2008), which acquired Manchester City in the past, or Qatar (2011), which became the owner of Paris, and Saudi Arabia, a latecomer, show a great difference in their direction and scale of ambition. Saudi Arabia put into practice the bold idea of ​​raising the status of its league by attracting active stars from Europe. If you look at the football transfer market website ‘Transfermarkt’, the current value of the Saudi league is regarding 900 million euros(1.3 trillion won) to the Netherlands Eredivisie(954 million euros). The reaction of the football world caught in the frenzy is divided, but the middle opinion is that ‘there is no need to exaggerate the threat of Saudi Arabia’. In an interview with the BBC, Premier League CEO Richard Masters said, “There is no need to worry. (We) need to reach where we are now in terms of awareness, competitiveness, and revenue. it took 30 years” he said. Alexander Ceferin, president of the European Football Federation (UEFA), also said, “Saudi is making a mistake. (If you want to grow the league), you should invest in the academy to nurture coaches and local players instead of buying players who are nearing the end of their careers.”

Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema (second from right). AP Yonhap News

In addition, it is evaluated that Saudi Arabia can never be a destination for elite players and is nothing more than a ‘subcontracting force’ that supports the demand in the European football market. The US’ESPN’ (ESPN) pointed out that Neymar and many other players who chose to go to Saudi Arabia were burdensome players receiving high salaries even though their prime years had passed. solved my worrieswrote that The media continued, “When you can sign a player who is in the prime of his career beating the top clubs in Europe, Saudi league statusThis will change,” he added. Saudi Arabia is in the position of ‘starting now’. Michael Emenalo, director of football for the Saudi League, said in a recent interview with CNN: “As we disrupt football, we are strengthening the industry and adding value as a result.” for a long time will continue,” he said. Few people would argue that Saudi Arabia’s investment in all-round sports, which includes not only football but also golf (LIV), professional wrestling, tennis, cricket, boxing, motor sports, and e-Sports, is just taking its first steps. not.

Al-Ali’s Roberto Firmino (second from right). AP Yonhap News

The new season of the Saudi League, which opened on the 12th, will be held in 48 platforms and broadcasters in 170 countries around the world, including Europe as well as Korea. brokerage rights contracthas concluded The football industry is regarding to be sucked into a whirlwind of irreversible geopolitical change. Reporter Park Kang-soo [email protected]
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