12 big name players and managers who've made Saudi Arabia move this summer
The summer of 2023 will likely be remembered for a long time as the summer when Saudi Arabia made a real mark on world football.
Months after the Saudi national team became the only opponents to beat Argentina during the Albiceleste's World Cup run, their domestic league has begun racking up big names. Cristiano Ronaldo completed a move to Al Nassr in December, joining a handful of former Premier League names, but plenty more have followed.
Some moves have failed to materialise, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets opting against Saudi Pro League money to instead move to MLS. Still, as Mirror Football demonstrates below, a number of others have been happy to make the switch.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid to Al Ittihad)
Benzema's move to Al Ittihad was a real statement from the league. The French international is the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, and will fancy himself to rival Ronaldo in the goal charts.
The former Real Madrid star joined on a free off the back of an injury-hit season which still brought him 31 goals. It's no cheap deal, though, with Benzema enjoying a hefty salary at his new club.
Roberto Firmino's agent drops contract hint after private Jurgen Klopp talks
Which Saudi Pro League signing are you most excited about? Have your say in the comments section
Karim Benzema will lead the line for Al Ittihad next season (Getty Images)Mirror Football is now on Threads! You can follow us here
Marcelo Brozovic (Internazionale to Al Nassr)
Inter star Brozovic is one of the star names joining Ronaldo at Al Nassr. The Croatia midfielder is still just 30, and comes off an appearance in the Champions League final for his Italian former employers.
Despite landing Ronaldo, Al Nassr missed out on the title last season. They'll hope their new additions can help them go one better, and Brozovic's 250+ Serie A games show his pedigree.
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool to Al Ahli)
Liverpool had Firmino on their books for eight years, but the Brazilian had a long goodbye after confirming during the last season that he'd be on the move. Newly promoted Al Ahli have brought in the ex-Hoffenheim man, boosting an attack which did enough for the second-tier title despite scoring fewer than each of their top-four rivals.
Roberto Firmino has left Liverpool after eight years (Getty Images)Firmino will have fond memories of the Middle East, having scored Liverpool's semi-final and final winners in the 2019 Club World Cup in Qatar. He's far from the first Brazilian to turn out for Al Ahli, either, with Carlos Eduardo and Lucas Lima among others to wear the shirt after spells in Europe.
Jota (Celtic to Al Ittihad)
It's not just the big five European leagues supplying players to Saudi Arabia. Portuguese talent Jota has also made the move after an impressive couple of seasons at Celtic.
At just 24, the Portuguese under-21 international is one of the younger stars to make the move. He's coming off a 15-goal season in Scotland, and will be looking to form a relationship with new team-mate Benzema.
N'Golo Kante (Chelsea to Al Ittihad)
N'Golo Kante will want to put his injury woes behind him (AFP via Getty Images)Someone already familiar to Benzema is midfield star Kante. The former Chelsea and Leicester man is linking up with his international colleague, having played in the same France team as Benzema at Euro 2020.
Kante had a tough time with injuries last season, playing just eight times in the Premier League and twice in the Premier League. If the 32-year-old can come close to his Premier League form in his new surroundings, though, he will be a real asset.
Jurgen Klopp receives Roberto Firmino boost as dream Liverpool line-up predicted
Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea to Al Hilal)
Chelsea's summer clearout has seen a number of senior stars move on. One of them, Koulibaly, has left just a year after joining the London side from Napoli.
While the Senegal centre-back's first year in the Premier League was a tough one, his eight years in Italy were full of quality. If he can replicate that form, he will be man tasked with stopping the big-name forwards.
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea to Al Ahli)
International team-mates Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy will now be club team-mates (Visionhaus/Getty Images)Mendy was briefly Koulibaly's team-mate for club and country, but now they will be opponents. The Senegal stopper helped his country claim Africa Cup of Nations glory, while also winning the Champions League in 2021, but has left West London after losing his starting spot.
The keeper is still just 31, and could be in a position to give his new club a few good years of service. With other teams going big on attacking talent, a top-level keeper could prove to be a smart purchase.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio to Al Hilal)
While Milinkovic-Savic's move is not quite official, it is understood to be all but done. The Serbian's move ought to finally end all those Premier League rumours - at least for a few months.
The midfielder's eight years with Lazio have brought more than 300 games and a number of top four finishes, but no Serie A title. He's only 28, though, and should add energy and quality in front of a defence marshalled by Koulibaly.
Ruben Neves (Wolves to Al Hilal)
Neves has spent his entire Premier League career with Wolves (Getty Images)One man who is already an Al Hilal player is Neves. The midfielder ended his long stint at Wolves with a summer switch, having been strongly linked with Barcelona over the last 12 months.
An early starter, the former Porto man is only 26. He's one of the players helping rubbish suggestions the Saudi Pro League is simply a retirement league, but may feel he can return to Europe after a few years in the Gulf.
Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq)
Gerrard is one of a number of managers to join Nuno Espirito Santo in the Saudi Pro League. Former Spurs and Wolves boss Nuno took charge at Al Ittihad in summer 2022 and led them to last season's title.
Former Liverpool captain Gerrard took his time to pull over a move to Ettifaq, having been a free agent since his Aston Villa sacking. He does have title-winning experience in the past, with Scottish giants Rangers, and may well make additions to his squad from Europe.
Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal)
Jorge Jesus is back at Al Hilal for a second spell (Global Media Group/Sipa USA)Al Hilal were linked with Fulham boss Marco Silva, but have instead moved for the Portuguese boss' compatriot. Jorge Jesus arrives after a spell in Turkey, bowing out at Fenerbahce with a domestic cup win.
It's a second spell at Al Hilal for the former Benfica and Sporting boss. The 68-year-old took charge ahead of the 2018-19 season, winning the Saudi Super Cup, but left after just a few months despite impressive on-field results.
Robbie Fowler (Al Qadsiah)
It's not just the top-flight teams bringing in big names. Former Liverpool and England striker Fowler is in the dugout at Al Qadsiah, who finished in mid-table in the second tier last term.
Fowler is now managing in a fourth different country, following spells in Australia, Thailand and India. His squad includes a handful of foreigners, including Algeria international keeper Rais M'Bolhi, but it remains to be seen whether he makes further additions.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
