The Saudi officials’ first comment was on the loss of the Saudi league Roshen to a deal with Argentine star Lionel Messi after many months of negotiations.
Negotiations to include the Argentine with Saudi club Al-Hilal fell through in the final stages before Messi announced his desire to move to US-based Inter Miami in a free deal following the end of his contract with France’s Paris Saint-Germain.
On this occasion, Yasser Al-Mishal, President of the Saudi Football Association, told the press: “Today the Saudi League has become very attractive. We will not be content with just limited names of international coaches and stars. It is true that Messi is one of the greatest players in history, but the names that appear in the Saudi League will be as stellar as Messi.”
At the moment, two world stars are participating in the Roshen league: last winter, Al-Nasr signed a contract with the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo at the Mercato, and this summer, Karim Benzema entered the French Federation.
More transactions are expected in the coming period, especially after the State Investment Fund acquired 75% of the shares of the 4 largest clubs in the Kingdom, namely: Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Nasr and Al Ahli .
Source: Saudi Media