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When Ronaldo moved there, it was branded as one last big payday, before he retires, as was seen when veterans N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema joined too.

But then younger players such as Ruben Neves and Jota joined, then Saudi Arabian clubs were ruining football by giving young players inflated wages.

Love it or loathe it, the Pro League is growing in popularity. Will it be bigger than the Chinese Super League? The brains behind the Saudi Pro League would hope so.

Saudi Arabia’s getting into football isn’t a situation that arose overnight. Super Cup games are held there and glamorous Serie A end-of-season games are too.

The Gulf in general wants to get their region propelled into the picture of elite sporting events.

Horse racing, Grand Prix, snooker events and boxing events are just some of the show-stopping events to hit those shores.

So why not football? The fanbase in that part of the world is as passionate as any. Football players moving to the league, which isn’t seen as an established league has raised eyebrows.

They’re money hungry, they’re putting money before trophies are accusations labelled at those who have moved to the Middle East.

On a private level, I have said to close friends, that if elite managers go to Saudi Arabia, then the league needs to be taken seriously.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Rudi Garcia who are respectable coaches have plied their trade in the region (Nuno still is).

But when a manager of a higher profile (with the greatest respect), Roberto Mancini is, then the football world needs to take notice of Saudi Arabian football.

Although the former Italy manager, resigned from his post as manager of the Azzurri last month, he will be taking up the role as manager of the Saudi Arabian national team.

The Saudi FA, have appointed an elite manager, who will help propel the game in that region. Under his reign, Mancini did blood a lot of youngsters and wasn’t afraid to give them a chance.

In his role as Saudi Arabia manager, we’re sure the same will happen. The man has an eye for talent.

Many a time, there was a case of players being given a chance at international level, even before debuting with their clubs.

Sports fans, this is the start of Saudi Arabia being a force to be reckoned with. No, they’re not going to win USA 2026, but they will surprise people.
The Saudis will surprise like they did in the first group game of Qatar 2022 against now World Champions Argentina.

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