MLS
Saudi Arabia’s deep pockets an issue for MLS as players flock to the Gulf
Despite Lionel Messi’s imminent arrival at MLS side Inter Miami, the financial muscle of the Saudi Arabia Pro League is seeing a swarm of players head east.
Saudi Arabia has become a major destination for a number of players and this exodus to the Gulf is becoming something of a headache for MLS and other key leagues across the world. The Saudi financial clout is apparent and already this summer we’ve seen the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech all move to the Saudi Pro League.
Of course, the high profile transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr earlier in January 2023 paved the way for other talents to sample a new flavour of football in the Gulf nation.
Domestic champions Al Ittihad have been the most active of the Saudi clubs having signed Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea as they join recent acquisition, former Wolves player, Rubén Neves.
Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Atleti’s Saúl Ñiguez and Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku are other high profile names being linked with Saudi teams.
Hurdle for MLS
Despite Leo Messi’s high profile move to Inter Miami, the arrival of the Saudi Pro League as a major player on the international scene is something of a headache for MLS with the North American league unable to compete with the Saudi financial muscle when it comes to trying to convince key players to move Stateside. Despite the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, and Gareth Bale having all played for MLS teams, the economic lure will be too strong for many players to resist.
Despite the high volume exodus of stars to the Roshn Pro League, it does appear that former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba seem to follow Messi’s path and play for Inter Miami.