Saudi Arabia football changes rapidly

Joao Felix joined Al-Nassr at the age of 25.

Just a few years ago, Saudi Arabia was still the “sunset” destination for big stars - where Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or Neymar were looking for their final contract with huge salaries. But today, that picture has changed dramatically.

The Saudi Pro League is now a vibrant destination for a generation of players who are still very young, even at the peak of their careers.

From Gabri Veiga to Enzo Millot: No Longer the Exception

The change began in the summer of 2023, when 21-year-old Gabri Veiga rejected Napoli - a team that had been closely pursuing him - to join Al Ahli for 35 million euros. The salary of up to 12 million euros/year was an unbelievable figure for a young player who had never played in the Champions League. The decision was shocking at first, but quickly set a precedent for a series of subsequent deals.

The summer of 2025 saw a wave of U25 players continue to flock to Saudi Arabia. Enzo Millot, who was expected to join Atletico Madrid or Tottenham, unexpectedly turned to Al Ahli, the reigning Asian champions. Unai Hernández (20), the gem of La Masia, also chose Al Ittihad instead of continuing to assert his name in La Liga.

Even established names like Mateo Retegui - Serie A's top scorer with 25 goals last season - couldn't resist the financial lure of Saudi Arabia. He joined Al Qadsiah for a fee of up to 68.5 million euros, earning eight times more than he did at Atalanta (20 million euros/year).

Saudi Arabian football is no longer just about names past their prime.

The emergence of young talent is not just a “shopping mall” of uncontrolled spending. According to the Saudi Pro League executive board, the clubs backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) (including Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli) have agreed to apply the “8+2” model: eight foreign players with no age limit and two slots reserved for players under 21. This is part of a sustainable development strategy, both to compete immediately and to build a foundation for the future.

Not only targeting young stars who have already made their names, Saudi teams also pay attention to rough diamonds. Alejandro Vergaz (18 years old, from Betis) and Iker Almena (18 years old, from Girona) are two typical examples when recruited at a not too big cost but with very high profit potential.

What names are next?

The migration wave has not stopped. Joao Felix, who seemed to be rejoining Benfica after an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea, has opted to join Al Nassr in a deal worth around €50 million. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus - two influential figures in Saudi Arabia - was a decisive factor.

Manchester United's Antony (25) is currently on the radar of two Saudi giants, although the Brazilian still wants to stay in Europe. Al Hilal even sent Alexander Isak an unbelievable offer: 700,000 euros/week after tax, equivalent to more than 36 million euros/year - a figure that can only come from the Middle East.

Not stopping there, Darwin Nunez was also confirmed as Al Hilal's "top target" after they missed out on Victor Osimhen. On the afternoon of August 6, British media reported that the Uruguayan striker agreed to move to Saudi Arabia to play.

Three years ago, no one would have thought that a young player under the age of 25 would choose Saudi Arabia over the Champions League. Now, it is not only a reality, but also a trend. Huge salaries, the opportunity to become a center of sports projects, an increasingly competitive environment - all of this makes the Pro League a dream destination, not only for those who want to "retire early".

From being an “exception” with Gabri Veiga, to a series of deals worth tens of millions of euros for players with great potential, Saudi Arabia is redrawing the global football map. And if this trend continues, the big names in Europe may have to rethink their model - because the game is different now.

Source: https://znews.vn/bong-da-saudi-arabia-thay-doi-chong-mat-post1574692.html