Saudi Arabia’s massive investment in football stars hasn’t immediately translated into success, as the billion-dollar spending has resulted in a lopsided season without international silverware. Despite the high-profile signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar, the Saudi Pro League has not lived up to expectations. Al Hilal clinched their fourth title in five years with ease, even without Neymar, who was sidelined due to injury.
None of the Saudi teams made it to the Asian Champions League final, and the national side, led by Roberto Mancini, was eliminated in the Asian Cup’s last 16. Al Hilal’s dominance, with a record 34 consecutive wins in all competitions, underscores the gap between the big-spending clubs and the rest.
The concentration of top players in a few clubs has led to a lack of competitiveness, favoring clubs like Al Hilal. The league’s administrators acknowledge the need for a long-term strategy to improve the league’s quality, attendance, and commercial success, aiming to rival the world’s top five domestic competitions.
The upcoming 2034 World Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia, presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s footballing prowess and transition to a post-oil era. Despite the initial challenges, the influx of star players has generated increased interest in the league, attracting fans like Ahmed Osama, who came to watch Ronaldo and Al Nassr with his children. However, there have been issues, such as Benzema’s struggles at Al Ittihad and Ronaldo’s on-field gesture leading to fines, highlighting the complexities of integrating star players into new environments.
