The massive funding for these resounding deals comes from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, one of the largest sovereign funds in the world with assets exceeding $620 billion, according to media sources.
The strategy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, seeking to achieve a rapid cultural transformation aimed at improving and polishing its stereotyped image internationally, was not limited to transforming the conditions of women in the Kingdom, changing strict laws and conservative traditions, and continuing its efforts to promote and protect human rights, but also reached sports, as the wealthy Gulf kingdom seeks to transform the league Football is a destination for the best players around the world.
And after attracting the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed early this year with Al-Nasr club in a fictional deal estimated at more than 440 million euros for a period of two and a half years, until June 2025, Spanish newspapers confirm that the Argentine star Lionel Messi is just around the corner from moving to the Saudi club Al-Hilal. For a huge offer of 400 million euros annually.
At the same time, the name of the former French international striker, Karim Benzema, has been associated with the Kingdom for several days, as a golden bridge to end his professional career there.
Ittihad Jeddah Club, the league champion this season, had made an offer of 200 million euros over two seasons, according to the Spanish press, to attract it to its championship.
And the official Saudi “Al-Ikhbariya” channel confirmed earlier that “Al-Ittihad club reached an official agreement with Frenchman Karim Benzema to join its ranks in a contract that extends for two seasons.”
And the channel stated that Al-Ittihad club president Anmar Al-Haili and his deputy Ahmed Kaaki are in the Spanish capital, Madrid, to officially sign with Benzema in a record transfer deal.
The massive funding for these resounding deals comes from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, one of the largest sovereign funds in the world with assets exceeding $620 billion, according to media sources.
International newspapers reported that the latest candidate to play in the Kingdom is French international Angolo Kante, Chelsea midfielder. She pointed out that Al-Ittihad Club wanted to sign him.
In a tweet he posted on Twitter, Rudy Galetti, a journalist and expert in the transfer market, said, “After signing Benzema, Al-Ittihad club will travel to London to negotiate with N’Golo Kante..the talks started with the Chelsea midfielder a few days ago and are well underway: the goal is to reach to an agreement as soon as possible.
Modric
The Croatian playmaker Luka Modric and the French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are at the top of the list of “more than ten players” of the first-class stars with whom Saudi Arabia is negotiating, according to an AFP source on Monday.
A source in Riyadh, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said that the competent Saudi authorities are “in contact with more than ten players, many of whom won the World Cup or the (European) Champions League to join the Saudi League next season.”
According to the source, the list of negotiations includes, in addition to the best player in the world seven times, Lionel Messi (35 years):
French Karim Benzema (35 years old)
Spaniard Sergio Ramos (37)
Argentine Angel Di Maria (35)
Croatian Luka Modric (37)
The French Hugo Lloris (36) and N’Golo Kante (32)
Brazilian Roberto Firmino (31)
Spaniards Jordi Alba (34)
Sergio Busquets (34).
Messi’s father confirms the world champion’s desire to return to Barcelona
According to the Spanish newspaper “Sport”, the announcement of the contract with Messi was likely to be issued on Tuesday, but Jorge Messi, the father and business manager of the world football champion, exploded Monday with a heavy-caliber surprise.
A surprise, contrary to expectations, announcing his son’s desire to return to the ranks of Barcelona, Spain, but he indicated that no decision had been taken in this regard so far.
Messi’s father confirmed that he met on Monday with Barcelona club president Joan Laporta, but “nothing concrete” and that his son’s return depends “on many things.”
In response to a question about whether Barcelona is Messi’s favorite destination, Jorge said with a smile, “Yes,” adding, “I would very much like” that the seven-time world player of the year return to Catalonia.
Jorge Messi revealed to reporters that Lionel will make his decision soon, but “I don’t know what decision, I don’t know at the moment, we have to discuss a lot of things.”
Huge sports investment
Since the arrival of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the throne in 2017, the conservative kingdom, which has been closed for decades, is witnessing a social and economic opening, and it is spending lavishly as part of a strategy to improve its image.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in sports projects, including the Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah, football matches for Europe’s most prestigious clubs, and world championships in golf and boxing.
In the coming years, Saudi Arabia, which watched its neighbor Qatar hold its first football World Cup in the Middle East and an Arab country in late 2022, will host the 2026 Asian Women’s Cup, the 2027 Asian Cup, the 2034 Asian Games, and even the 2029 Asian Winter Games on artificial snow in the future city of Neum. giant.
It seems that the wealthy Gulf kingdom is currently trying to build on a strong league that attracts the attention of the world, while reports a few months ago stated that Saudi Arabia wanted to submit a joint file with Greece and Egypt to host the 2030 edition, but the candidacy has not yet become official.
