By Marta Elena Casanova
Follow us on social networks to stay updated on the latest transfer market news: Instagram, Facebook e X.
Index
Arab football has become synonymous with astronomical figures, colossal contracts, and global superstars. The latest name to appear on the Saudi Pro League’s radar is Simone Inzaghi, fresh off winning the Italian league with Inter Milan, and now ready to sign a two-year deal with Al Hilal worth over €50 million net—not including hefty bonuses. A staggering offer—more than €25 million per season—that confirms a trend in full swing: in Saudi Arabia, football is a tool of power, image, and diplomacy. Yet, despite all these investments, success in terms of genuine public interest and international engagement is far from assured.
Massive Spending, Mixed Results
Since 2022, the Saudi Pro League has spent over €1.5 billion on transfers and wages. The four clubs controlled by the sovereign wealth fund PIF—Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli—have signed stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Mané, Kanté, Brozović, along with top-tier coaches like Jorge Jesus, Marcelo Gallardo, and Stefano Pioli. Media exposure has increased—no doubt. The world has started watching this league with growing curiosity.
However, the link between huge spending and big success is never automatic. The stadiums, although modern, are not always full. Broadcast rights have been sold across the globe, but viewership remains modest. While European fans were initially intrigued, they never truly embraced the Saudi League as a serious alternative to continental competitions.
The Saudi National Team and the Mancini Effect
Another important chapter is the Saudi national team. After the surprising victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, expectations were high. To lead this new era, Roberto Mancini, who had just won Euro 2021 with Italy, was appointed—but stepped down at the end of 2024. His salary was, unsurprisingly, enormous: over €20 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid national coaches ever.
Yet the results have been underwhelming. Saudi Arabia struggled in the 2024 Asian Cup and remains far from the level of top-tier national teams. Local talent appears overshadowed by the flood of foreign players in domestic clubs. The strategy seems more focused on international visibility than the genuine development of the sport.
More Image than Revolution?
At the heart of Saudi football lies the “Vision 2030” strategy—an ambitious national plan to diversify the economy, moving beyond oil into tourism, sports, and entertainment. Football plays a central role as a global branding tool to project a modern and influential image of the kingdom.
But there’s a risk this modernity is only skin-deep. Saudi clubs rely heavily on government funding and public money. Unlike European leagues, there’s no self-sustaining ecosystem where revenue comes from ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and youth development. Everything depends on oil wealth, and if political interest fades, the bubble could burst quickly.
The arrival of Simone Inzaghi at Al Hilal would just be the latest signal of a project with no financial limits. But such an abundance of resources can be a double-edged sword. Without a sustainable structure, a rooted sports culture, and a loyal fanbase, millions are not enough to create a credible, globally followed league.
Arab football has caught the spotlight, but to turn that light into authentic passion, it will take far more than a parade of stars. It will require time, planning, and—above all—a vision that can’t be bought with a cheque.
By Marta Elena Casanova
