August 01, (THEWILL) – This summer, Saudi Arabia has forcefully positioned itself as a formidable presence in the world of club football, leaving an indelible mark with colossal billion-dollar investments in top clubs and an unwavering attraction of global talents. The government’s ambitions to become a major player in football have reached new heights as they have succeeded in luring an impressive array of renowned players, backed by substantial financial commitments.
In the pursuit of enhancing their global standing, the Saudi Pro League clubs have been busy. Al Ahli have secured the talents of Eduoard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, and Roberto Firmino, along with the addition of Allan Saint-Maximin to their ranks. Similarly, Al Ittihad have strategically fortified its lineup with internationally acclaimed players such as N’Golo Kante, Jota, Karim Benzema, and Fabinho. Moreover, the accomplished coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been enlisted to guide Al Ittihad to greater success.
Meanwhile, Al Nassr have made substantial additions to their squad since convincing Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to join them. The likes of Marcelo Brozović Seko Fofana and Alex Telles have joined their ranks, with Sadio Mane expected to grace the Al Nassr squad in the near future.
Al Hilal have also bolstered its ranks with talents like Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Kalidou Koulibaly. In contrast, Al Ettifaq are witnessing the addition of exceptional players, including Jordan Henderson, Jack Hendry, and Moussa Dembélé. In addition, the legendary Steven Gerrard has taken up a coaching role at Al Ettifaq, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the team.
This week, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who played a key role in Napoli’s successful season, became the focus of transfer interest from Al-Hilal. They made a substantial €140m bid, that will see Osimhen earn an eye-opening £1bn a week, but Napoli swiftly rejected it, valuing Osimhen at around £200m.
Beyond the realm of football, the Saudi government’s involvement in the sport is driven by a multi-faceted agenda. It serves as a gateway to elevating Saudi Arabia’s soft power on the global stage, recognising football’s unparalleled popularity and its reach across nations as a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s progress and project a more positive international image.
Investing heavily in football aligns with the kingdom’s strategic goal of diversifying its economy away from its traditional reliance on oil revenues. Football’s multi-billion dollar industry offers the prospect of revenue generation and the creation of new job opportunities, fostering economic growth and stability. This strategy also aims to elevate the Saudi Pro League’s competitiveness and attract a larger global fan base.
Moreover, football is seen as a powerful means to promote social and cultural change, espousing values of tolerance, inclusivity, and respect. By leveraging the sport’s unifying nature, the Saudi government endeavours to catalyse positive societal transformations and build a more cohesive and open society.
However, the kingdom’s involvement in football is not without controversy. It has faced international criticism for its human rights record, including allegations of torture, arbitrary detention, and the use of child soldiers. In a bid to divert attention from these issues, the government may be resorting to “sportswashing” – using football to improve its image and deflect scrutiny from its human rights practices.
To achieve these multifaceted objectives, the Saudi government has undertaken various initiatives. One such move was the acquisition of an 80% stake in the English club Newcastle United FC in 2021. This landmark investment not only provided a prominent platform for Saudi Arabia in the football world but also offered potential economic benefits. The recent move of Saint-Maximin from the Magpies to Al Ahli was said to be a product of this connection.
Additionally, the kingdom has actively pursued bids to host major football tournaments, including the illustrious FIFA World Cup. One of the basis for bringing in Ronaldo was to make him the face of the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Successfully hosting such an event would be a monumental achievement for Saudi Arabia, elevating its international standing and affirming its position as a key player in the global football arena.
The Saudi government’s deep involvement in football, therefore, extends beyond the sport itself, seeking to advance a comprehensive agenda. By assembling an impressive lineup of players and coaches, engaging in strategic investments, and pursuing ambitious hosting bids, they aim to elevate Saudi Arabia’s global prominence, stimulate economic growth, and promote social change. Nevertheless, it remains essential to recognise the complexity of these motivations, including the ongoing scrutiny over the kingdom’s human rights record.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
