Will the transfers to the Saudi league become a problem for European football?

[Unknown01]

I read every day about a new superstar moving to the saudi league and I think this is slowly becoming a problem for European football. I grew up with the fact that all footballers in the world are pursuing the dream of playing football in a top European league at some point. For me, leagues like the Premiere League, La Liga, Seria A or the German Bundesliga are part of it. But even our weaker leagues were popular to players to prove themselves as good players.

The European clubs have also paid almost the best salaries or transfer fees worldwide. China has been able to attract a few good players like Iniesta or Hulk with high salaries, but these were just very few players. Since Ronaldo's move, we've been faced with the big problem that a lot of top players have followed him, some of whom are very young, and of course that's very good for the Saudi league, but European football is losing very important and great talents.

The current year is the first year where so many players change at the same time, if this should continue for another 2-3 years I can well imagine that Europe will run out of good and well-known footballers. With the salaries that are paid, it is also understandable for me that the footballers change and the clubs sell the players, but how do you think the whole thing will continue? Will European football lose its special position?

And while I was writing this, I read again about a new possible move: Mo Salah is said to move to Saudi Arabia for a transfer fee of €100m and a yearly earn of €200m. Just crazy!

Here is a list of well-known footballers who have already transferred:

To Al Hilal:
Neymar
Koulibaly
Milinkovic-Savic
Ruben Neves
Mitrovic
Bono

To Al-Ittihad:
Kanté
Benzema
Fabinho

To Al-Ahli:
Mendy
Firmino
Mahrez
Merih Demiral
Allan Saint-Maximin
Ibanez
Kessie

To Al-Nassr:
Ronaldo
Brozovic
Mané
Fofana
Alex Telles
Laporte

To Al-Ettifaq:
Moussa Dembelé
Henderson

[Mauser]

The current year is the first year where so many players change at the same time, if this should continue for another 2-3 years I can well imagine that Europe will run out of good and well-known footballers. With the salaries that are paid, it is also understandable for me that the footballers change and the clubs sell the players, but how do you think the whole thing will continue? Will European football lose its special position?

This definitely has been a crazy year for football in the Middle East, so many big names transfered over there. The question now is what is going to happen in Europe, and my answer is that probably not much is going to change. First of all Europe can't compete against the prices offered in Saudi Arabia, these are state sponsored teams that receive direct money out of the oil trade. There is no real point in trying to compete and just let the players leave. As long as there is no direct tournaments between Europe and the middle east like letting them join champions league or other big cups I don't see a problem. The level of European football might fall for a while, but us eventually going to recover. What makes football so special in Europe or south America is the fans, there are million of people watching all the games and go to the stadium. Just because a few big names are now moving to Saudia Arabia it's not going to change the fan landscape. People follow their regional teams, because that is where they visit the stadium. Only a very small majority might consider rooting for a middle eastern team because their favorite player is transferring there. I think the hype some of these players will fade over time as some fans are angry towards the player for going so far away and selling out.

[swogerino]

I think European football have enough good players to not feel all these leaving players to the Middle East.In there they have a lot of money and they now want to entertain themselves with football so they are offering astronomical amounts of money for a football player transfer.The only problem this creates is that now huge sums are being paid for such players and in Europe too when making a transfer or buying a new player will ask bigger amounts than usual,in fact in Italy are already complaining about this fact that they cannot buy a good player for the amount used before to buy such player.Other than this problem I don't think it will create as Europe has tons of great players still.

[tusandii]

When Saudi clubs go crazy with having the audacity to use big budgets to sign top European players then the problem that might occur is that most of the top European players will prefer to play for Saudi clubs as opposed to playing for big European clubs, especially when the Saudis really get to play. get into the Champions League or have a League that is equivalent to the Champions League then it is likely that great players who are famous have no doubts to play there.
With the great interest in playing with Saudi clubs it will also be difficult for European clubs to get talented players because most of them prefer bigger fees.
Some rumors also state that there are European club coaches pressing FIFA to be able to regulate the issue of player transfers to Saudi clans so that in the future it can be more balanced with European club transfers.

[Bitinity]

Saudi League is still a new league and it is still not popular enough in the world but the power of money may bring them into something bigger than European leagues in the future. Point of view from players will also become a factor in this case, I mean if most players are money oriented then there will be much more players move to Saudi in the next few years. Not only players who are already old enough but young talented players may move there too because of money. However if players are still care about bigger achievement (not money only) then they will stay in European leagues. Everything is possible to happen, Saudi league may become bigger than most other European league in the future but it can be just a short hype as well.

[len01]

first of all, we all know how the popularity of european league has been known for a long time, which has been recognized that this is the biggest league, even though in a league it does not have star players on a certain team, it not be a problem and its popularity still continues because the teams in the European league already have a lot of fans even though there are no star player in the team.

I've read one of someone replies in the transfer thread in the past which reminds me that we forget how back when the European league developed its popularity to spend a lot of money to be part of biggest league in the world and this way is the same as what team in the SPL do to increasing their popularity they are able to spend a lot of money on european star player to improve the quality of football in Saudi arabia.

and regarding the concern that many star players have moved to Saudi Arabia, I think not all of them are young but these star players are almost old like Ronaldo and Benzema and for other european player there may still be young people but he is not a star player.

and now we will see, after the move of this star player, do we see a decrease in the quality of football in europe or is its popularity decreasing? I do not think so.
in fact there are still lots of fans and bettor who still watch every team match from european league.

[ultrloa]

Yes indeed it can be a problem to European football league if more big football stars will transfer to Saudi league since that means the revenue will be lessen since all of the fans will transfer to watch and it can possibly affect the revenue generated by European league. If they cannot match the offer given by Saudi league then maybe we can see them being dominated and Saudi league will be the new famous one on football scene.

[LDL]

Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema and many other players are currently transferring from European leagues to Saudi club leagues, which is gradually decreasing the popularity of European clubs. Basically, the football world likes to watch Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema play and their popularity is currently very high. So if these popular players are included in Saudi based clubs from European, EPL, Italian and Paris based clubs then the popularity of those clubs has decreased a lot. Now most of the football fans prefer to watch Saudi club games. Therefore, the addition of dozens of new players to Saudi club-based leagues has become a cause of concern for European clubs.

[Sim_card]

We see football as a means of entertainment but what we don't get straight is that some people are using it for business. The main purpose of setting up a business is for profit making. The clubs are selling to SPL because they need huge profit to take care of some expenses and even buy more players. It is like sell one and have the funds to buy two. The latest thing that I have observed is that players have also put money in their mind and believes that it is better to play in a club that can afford to pay them 3X their current pay,which makes them not think about either it is European league or not. It wouldn't be a problem to the European football because there are enough players in the world that can satisfy every strong league,as long as they can afford to pay the players. Saudi Arabia is buying players to create awareness in their league and to also use football to bring the world to their country for more firm. It will be fun if we have more weak leagues upgrading in football and drawing attention with the signing of world class players to the league.

[topbitcoin]

I think European football have enough good players to not feel all these leaving players to the Middle East.In there they have a lot of money and they now want to entertain themselves with football so they are offering astronomical amounts of money for a football player transfer.The only problem this creates is that now huge sums are being paid for such players and in Europe too when making a transfer or buying a new player will ask bigger amounts than usual,in fact in Italy are already complaining about this fact that they cannot buy a good player for the amount used before to buy such player.Other than this problem I don't think it will create as Europe has tons of great players still.

It's true that Europe has a lot of good players. However, if Europe continues to let its top players move to the Middle East. This will boomerang itself for European football. The move of the mega star CR7 is a small example where Middle Eastern football is immediately eyed by the world community and likewise with investors who have started to switch to Middle Eastern football because they see a pretty good opportunity. and if this continues then sooner or later middle east football will become the toughest rival for european football.

[Kemarit]

I don't think it will be a problem for European football, I mean it's not the first time that we have seen this movement in sports. There are also like this is professional basketball in Asia, wherein there are a lot of movements to China, Korea and even Japan league from big players around that region.
And on the contrary, it might be good though, I mean up and coming stars in Europe will be given more time and so with that exposure, they could be the next Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and other great football players. So they shouldn't take it as a negative though. And just to let you know, even in boxing, Saudi Arabia has become one of the hot spot as there are a lot of fights that are being held in that part, and obviously it's become of the huge money that they offer.

[Shishir99]

It could be a problem for them. All those star players have a separate fan base, which is enormous. Their fan will watch their game and support their teams wherever they play. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr and all his fans will watch their game. It will increase the demand od streaming their match on broadcasting companies and it will generate income for the Saudi league.

There are a couple of other factors as well. Clubs get money from selling jerseys as well. People also buy jerseys of their favorite players and teams. There are a couple of players who are top rated like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Junior, and Lionel Messi. Two of them moved to Saudi Arabia and Messi moved to America. It's not a good sign for European football.

[avp2306]

The current year is the first year where so many players change at the same time, if this should continue for another 2-3 years I can well imagine that Europe will run out of good and well-known footballers. With the salaries that are paid, it is also understandable for me that the footballers change and the clubs sell the players, but how do you think the whole thing will continue? Will European football lose its special position?

The current transfers happening of big names on football industry means a lot from European league. If majority of famous stats are been transfered on Saudi then we can expect that European's might have a problem with current situation they are facing on. And since Saudi league is gaining hype due to current move they made then a high chance that they will be the main problem of European league especially they have capability to pay more  and attract which they think that can boost more the popularity of Saudi in football scene.

[iv4n]

What money can do?! I don't think that European football will suffer, these big players are probably going just for money... a few seasons there will make them so rich and I see them leaving the football, or at least they will not play actively anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CN5OODrY8ak

I saw some other shorts from recent Neimar & Mitrovic games... It's fun to watch, but I see it as some entertainment for Sheikhs and not like football. At least for now, if they continue buying coaches, players, and everything else maybe they can create some "super league".

[$crypto$]

Europe will not be short of talented players young players are still in the development stage in some European clubs and that will be the keeper of their clubs in Europe, the Saudi League will not beat European league football this is very far although I know at this time many have begun to recognize the Saudi League because of the star players who moved there.

The average player who moves to the Sauid League is old and no longer needs to play in Europe.
I know the Arabs will continue to target other players because they have unlimited money.

After many players have flocked then next maybe some famous European coaches will follow in the same footsteps.

Roberto Mancini is currently the coach of the Saudi Arabian national team. https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1695873293218181271

[QueenVera]

What money can do?! I don't think that European football will suffer, these big players are probably going just for money... a few seasons there will make them so rich and I see them leaving the football, or at least they will not play actively   

I saw some other shorts from recent Neimar & Mitrovic games... It's fun to watch, but I see it as some entertainment for Sheikhs and not like football. At least for now, if they continue buying coaches, players, and everything else maybe they can create some "super league".

Well I think it's a win for both parties, because the European players would help develop the league and make it more popular and the clubs pay huge fee for their services in return and also most of these players that's moved over to the Saudi clubs have already achieved alot in the European leagues so it's not really going to affect their career because they've already lots of trophies and football titles to their names for example the likes of  Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Benzema etc, these players are just there to make the league more famous help develop their country side players, make their cool cash and retire.
 And moreover the European clubs where they buy this players from are cashing out huge sum of money which they use in strengthening their teams, the only issue I could think of right now is the fact that most European coaches are saying their involvement in the transfer market is causing inflation and hike in player fees.

[Cookdata]

The European clubs have also paid almost the best salaries or transfer fees worldwide. China has been able to attract a few good players like Iniesta or Hulk with high salaries, but these were just very few players. Since Ronaldo's move, we've been faced with the big problem that a lot of top players have followed him, some of whom are very young, and of course that's very good for the Saudi league, but European football is losing very important and great talents.

The current year is the first year where so many players change at the same time, if this should continue for another 2-3 years I can well imagine that Europe will run out of good and well-known footballers. With the salaries that are paid, it is also understandable for me that the footballers change and the clubs sell the players, but how do you think the whole thing will continue? Will European football lose its special position?

Many players of today are here for the money but fear what people will say if they leave the European clubs for other ones, I remember back then how they attacked Iniesta, and Ahmed Musa for leaving the English Premier League clubs for Saudi Arabia and China but today, because Ronaldo has been considered the greatest of all time(goat) and decided to go for Al-Nasr, they follow suit because of the money, if had it been Ronaldo was still in European clubs, players like Benzema and other clown Chelsea players will never make a move to Saudi Arabia but look at how it is fast transforming.

As far as football is concerned, it's not going to be a threat to European clubs, remember back then, when Seria A was nothing, Ronaldo went there and gave them more Public interaction, that's what he is going to do at Saudi Arabia and more talented players will be found in both places. Just know that the Premier League will remain the most valuable league in the world, not by funding but by reputation.

[Blitzboy]

My friend, the world is changing. Due to globalization, money moves in previously unheard-of ways. Players are compelled to make decisions that protect their financial future when clubs in the Saudi league offer salaries that European clubs cannot match.

While it may be difficult to watch the familiar faces from European stadiums migrate to Saudi Arabia, this change may also be seen as a leveling of the playing field in the sport of football. For many years, European leagues dominated the sport; however, other leagues are catching up. Its merely the fundamental economics of supply and demand.

Regarding the future? Well, European football has a storied past, unparalleled infrastructure, and a well ingrained culture. While they might encounter opposition in the near future, I think European football's core values will hold up. Clubs will change, policy may alter, and tactics may alter.

[Wiwo]

What money can do?! I don't think that European football will suffer, these big players are probably going just for money... a few seasons there will make them so rich and I see them leaving the football, or at least they will not play actively   

I saw some other shorts from recent Neimar & Mitrovic games... It's fun to watch, but I see it as some entertainment for Sheikhs and not like football. At least for now, if they continue buying coaches, players, and everything else maybe they can create some "super league".

Well I think it's a win for both parties, because the European players would help develop the league and make it more popular and the clubs pay huge fee for their services in return and also most of these players that's moved over to the Saudi clubs have already achieved alot in the European leagues so it's not really going to affect their career because they've already lots of trophies and football titles to their names for example the likes of  Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Benzema etc, these players are just there to make the league more famous help develop their country side players, make their cool cash and retire.
 And moreover the European clubs where they buy this players from are cashing out huge sum of money which they use in strengthening their teams, the only issue I could think of right now is the fact that most European coaches are saying their involvement in the transfer market is causing inflation and hike in player fees.

It will be a bit sentimental to think that the European football will suffer from the numerous players transfers to the Saudi league this is because,  even though majority of the players that are transferred are big name in the European leagues it doesn't mean that those players are the only players that can deliver in Earopean football,  we have a lot of young players who are also doing well in the various clubs side and on the international leagues.

What I see is that,  the Earopean league/clubs side are well developed enough with good foundation that can easily propel them to success regardless pf the players as long as their is team work and energetic calculative players,  player like Christina Robaldo have created a world record name for themselves in the European league so it time to build the Saudi leagues this is also very important.

[romero121]

This is just a transition happening between two parts of the world. Europe is dominant for football and now the East Asian part have been working hard to improve its position in football. This at any cost doesn't affect the importance of the European League or its popularity. These are the Leagues that have developed the popular stars of football. Now they might've moved to other clubs for various reasons. This could improve football in other parts of the world. Creates opportunity for the emergence of new players who could be tomorrow's Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar. The transfer between teams could never be a problem, this is going to be relaxation for European teams that were suffering financial problems.