Reports have emerged today suggesting that Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a grand plan to assemble a formidable league, and they have their eyes set on some of the biggest football stars in the world. According to a source close to the negotiations, Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema are at the top of their wish list, as revealed to “France Presse.”
The list of targeted players includes esteemed names such as Luka Modric, Hugo Lloris, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, N’Golo Kante, Angel Di Maria, and Roberto Firmino, among others, as confirmed by the same source.
The source went on to disclose that Saudi authorities are in contact with over ten players, many of whom have illustrious careers with World Cup and Champions League triumphs. The goal is to entice them to move to Saudi Arabia for the upcoming season, offering not only highly lucrative contracts but also the opportunity to compete in a fiercely competitive league.
The aim is to finalize most of the deals before the commencement of the next season on August 11. A Saudi government official echoed these sentiments, stating that negotiations are ongoing with world-class players as part of an overarching strategy to build a robust and fiercely competitive league, ultimately raising the standard of Saudi clubs.
Sources and media reports indicate that Saudi officials are currently in Paris and Madrid, intensifying their efforts to secure deals with Messi and Benzema. It is worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, has already been successfully recruited by Al Nasr club in December, allegedly earning the highest salary in the history of sports, reportedly around €200 million per season.
Rumors swirl about Benzema’s potential transfer to Al Ittihad, with Spanish press mentioning a similar figure, while an even higher sum is speculated in the case of Messi and his potential signing for Al Hilal.
All the targeted players are renowned football stars approaching the twilight of their careers. With the exception of Lloris, who has one year remaining on his contract with Tottenham, the rest are currently free agents.
Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, the kingdom is determined to enhance its global reputation, historically associated with strict Islam, through sports. By investing heavily in sports contracts, including bringing Ronaldo to the country and hosting the Formula One race, Saudi Arabia seeks to attract tourists and investments. However, these initiatives have also faced criticism, with accusations that the country aims to utilize sports as a means to overshadow its record of human rights violations.
As discussions and negotiations intensify, football enthusiasts and critics alike eagerly await the outcome, which could potentially redefine the power dynamics in global football.
