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January 18, 2024

Why Star Footballers Are Considering Leaving Saudi Arabia – Saudi Pro League

In 2023, the Saudi Pro League lured several top footballers with promises of massive paydays and a new footballing experience in the Middle East. Cristiano Ronaldo led the charge, signing with Al-Nassr in January, becoming the first high-profile player to make the move. Following his transfer, a wave of big names followed during the summer window, with prominent European clubs losing key players to the emerging Saudi league.

Among the most notable moves, Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema left Europe for Al-Ittihad, and Neymar, formerly of Barcelona and PSG, joined Al-Hilal. Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, and Fabinho also left Anfield after completing their trophy-laden careers with the Reds. Other Premier League talents like Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Riyad Mahrez also shifted to the Saudi Pro League, lured by the substantial financial offers.

The transfers initially seemed like dream moves due to the immense financial rewards. However, just six months later, some players are reportedly growing disillusioned. While the money is unmatched, the less competitive football environment, cultural differences, and diminished global visibility have left certain players reconsidering their decision to swap Europe for the Middle East.

Low turnout

Less than 1,000 people have attended several games in stadiums.

A stark example of the low attendance at the 2023–2024 Saudi Pro League matches season came when Jordan Henderson played for Al-Ettifaq in front of just 610 fans. The former Liverpool captain, accustomed to performing in packed Premier League stadiums with tens of thousands of supporters, now faces a far less enthusiastic crowd. In contrast to the consistently sold-out Premier League grounds, many Saudi league games have seen thousands of empty seats.

This shift must be disheartening for star players like Henderson. Benzema, for instance, spent over a decade at Real Madrid, one of the most famous clubs in the world, where he regularly played in front of adoring fans at the Santiago Bernabeu. His move to Al-Ittihad has reportedly been frustrating, with rumors of the player skipping training sessions due to dissatisfaction.

In one particularly low-attendance game, less than 200 fans showed up when Al-Ryadh hosted Al-Khaleej. This highlights the challenges some teams face in drawing crowds. The lack of interest and support is a stark contrast for these players, who are used to the vibrant atmospheres of European football.

High temps

In some regions of Saudi Arabia, the temperature has soared to 40°C.

Saudi Arabia’s climate is unmatched by any European nation, even though many of them experience extremely high summer temperatures. For a professional athlete, the heat in the Middle East can reach temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, which is highly challenging.

The weather can significantly influence football, as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar demonstrated. Regular drink breaks are necessary, and that was during the winter. The Saudi Pro League games are typically held to escape the afternoon heat in the evening.

Henderson, a former Liverpool midfielder, is rumored to be close to joining Ajax in the January transfer window, and this is reportedly one of the reasons he is planning to leave the league. Even though players like Neymar are more used to these high temperatures, playing football is another experience.

Even Ronaldo, who moved from Manchester United to this country, acknowledged getting used to the humidity took some time. As reported by the Daily Mail, he told LiveScore: “The biggest difference I have found in Saudi is obviously the heat and adapting schedules to train later in the day when it is cooler.”

Unusual social convictions

Adjusting to everyday life is a new challenge for the players’ families.

Many footballers moving to Saudi Arabia are more than just grappling with adapting to a new country; their partners and children also face the challenge of adjusting to a different way of life. 

Saudi Arabia’s cultural norms differ significantly from those in Europe, and it can take time for families to adapt to the new expectations. For example, the wives and partners of players often find it challenging to navigate the restrictions placed on women, such as the tradition of not going out in public alone, even though women were granted the right to drive in 2018. However, it’s still uncommon to see female drivers in the country.

Jordan Henderson’s potential departure from Saudi Arabia is reportedly linked to his family’s discomfort with their new surroundings, according to iNews. While Henderson’s situation has drawn the most attention, other players are likely facing similar challenges as they and their families try to settle into a culture vastly different from what they are used to.

Foreign careers at risk

The Euro 2024 is rapidly approaching.

While Ronaldo and Henderson remain regulars for their national teams, they may still press their coaches to manage their playing time during the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. The Saudi Pro League’s current level of competition still needs to be on par with Europe’s top leagues, which could impact their performance. This could change in the future, but it remains a concern for now.

Gareth Southgate has faced heavy criticism for including Henderson in England’s squad, especially with Premier League standouts like James Ward-Prowse and Curtis Jones vying for a spot. Henderson’s place could be at risk if his form doesn’t align with the more competitive environment of European football.

Ronaldo’s case is different. As one of the greatest players of all time, Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez will likely stand by the 38-year-old, especially considering Ronaldo’s impressive tally of 24 goals in his first 25 games for Al-Nassr.

Meanwhile, other players who moved to the Saudi league, like Firmino and Benzema, are already out of contention for their national teams, so their participation in the league doesn’t impact their international careers in the same way.

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