As Saudi Arabia solidifies its position on the global football map with notable acquisitions of top-tier players, a recent incident involving a Brazilian footballer and a Saudi journalist has garnered attention for its surprising turn of events.
The Saudi Pro League has been attracting international football stars with lucrative multi-year contracts, a trend that was set in motion by Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January 2023. Despite initial skepticism from Europe, Ronaldo’s positive experiences have ignited a surge of interest in the Saudi league, exemplified by his recent victory in the Arab Champions Cup with his new team.
Ronaldo’s claim that Saudi Arabia could ascend to the ranks of the world’s premier football leagues in the coming years, at the expense of rival Lionel Messi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS), is gradually being substantiated.
Among the recent football transplants is Fabinho, a Brazilian defensive midfielder renowned for his tenure with Liverpool. Relinquishing the hallowed grounds of Anfield, Fabinho embarked on a new chapter with Saudi champions Al-Ittihad. The £40 million (~$79 million AUD) deal has positioned him alongside league debutants Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté.
In his inaugural match with Al-Ittihad, Fabinho’s performance, coupled with his compatriot Neymar Jr.’s decision to forsake European football in favor of Al-Hilal, further underscored the allure of the Saudi league. However, it was an off-pitch moment that captured intrigue. After the match, Fabinho was approached by Saudi journalist Ibrahim Al-Faryan, who bestowed upon him an extravagant Rolex timepiece.
Yet, the moment of presentation was followed by an unexpected twist, as Fabinho inadvertently dropped the Rolex on the ground immediately after receiving it. Fortunately, the watch emerged unscathed. This unanticipated event contrasted with Fabinho’s interactions with British and European media, whose responses are often characterized by critical scrutiny rather than generous gestures.
Ronaldo’s team, meanwhile, experienced a less favorable outcome, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. Gerrard, a Liverpool legend, assumed the role of head coach in July 2023 and has since recruited former teammate Jordan Henderson to command the midfield.
With elite footballers like Neymar Jr. opting for Saudi clubs and the influx of opulent gifts like Rolex watches, the allure of playing in the Gulf region is growing stronger. Cristiano Ronaldo’s earlier forecasts about the burgeoning prominence of the Saudi Pro League might be materializing sooner than anticipated.
