I see now that Moutinho from Wolves could be the next to join the Saudi League. It’s a real shame Messi didn’t go there but that just proves that money can’t buy everything. It’s a really different life out there but it doesn’t seem to be stopping multiple older stars from swapping Europe for Saudi Arabia. Will be really interesting to see how the league develops over the next few years.
Saudi Arabian clubs are completely willing to pay exorbitant sums if they are interested in a player. They did it for Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N'Golo Kante, and they made even larger bids for Leo Messi, who declined because he's a different breed of player, always performing at a greater level than others. The Saudi pro league has already begun to develop, with the primary objective of becoming one of the top leagues in the next five years. Despite the fact that there are rumors of another deal. Wolve crucial defender Joao Moutinho is interested in joining the Saudi Arabian squad to play alongside some of the best players in the world.
I don't know whether Messi is off so much worse because he declined the offer to go to the Saudi Professional League and instead joins the MLS. A couple of details are coming to light and he will share revenue from Apple+ subscriptions and soccer related revenue in the US from Adidas merchandise sales. The marktet in the US is anything but saturated. He will probably not reach the 500 million that are said to have been offered to him in the SPL, but he will still be making very good money. I am sure they did their projections and maths beforehand and then made the decision.
But the question is still unanswered whether this approach by Saudi clubs can ever be sustainable and how far they will go. Are they going to sign a dozen of players, or a hand full per team? Where are the limits? If they pay Kanté 100 million, how many are going to follow with such a salary?
Messi has made his choice and we must agree with him on that. Benzema made his choice by accepting to play in the Saudi Arabia because is a muslim country, Ronaldo join because he wants to transform the league to top five in the wold, which is making wave already. because of Ronaldo effect people are now considering offers from Saudi Arabia. and within five years from now, the Saudi pro league will be filled with big stars from Europe, the taxations and the city is quiet impressive.
Messi, just want to enjoy life in the USA, the Inter Miami is too small to have such a star, their stadium is an open one without security, they lacks so many facilities to have a player of his kind. But his family priority first.
Sorry but you can't tell me that you seriously believe that Benzema went to Saudi Arabia because it is a Muslim country. What were the reasons that he didn't go there ten years ago? What kept him from never going to Real Madrid but instead go straight to a country where the Muslim religion is prevalent and practiced? Do you know what all these players would do if someone offers them a billion to play soccer for a year in Antarctica? They would get a snow suit and fly there immediately. This is about money and not about religion. If it was about religion, Benzema shouldn't have waited 20 years before he goes there.