In a stunning turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club, Al-Nassr, has been hit with a ban on registering new players until they settle their unpaid debts, according to an announcement by FIFA on Thursday. While the exact amount of the outstanding debts remains undisclosed, the repercussions are clear: Al-Nassr’s ability to bring in fresh talent is temporarily paralyzed.
The team “is currently prevented from registering new players due to outstanding debts”, a FIFA
The governing body of world football did not clarify whether this ban would affect the recent transfer of Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan to Al-Nassr. It is only when the creditors confirm the settlement of the debts that the ban will be lifted, as emphasized by a spokesperson for FIFA.
This is not the first time Al-Nassr has found themselves embroiled in financial controversy. In October 2021, a FIFA-appointed judge ruled that Al-Nassr must pay Leicester City 460,000 euros ($514,000) plus interest in relation to a dispute over the transfer of Nigerian international Ahmed Musa. Musa had joined Al-Nassr for a hefty sum of 18 million euros in 2018 but departed two years later to play for Turkey’s Sivasspor in the previous season.
The ruling stated that failure to make the payment could result in a ban on player recruitment for up to three consecutive registration periods. Backed by the sovereign wealth fund of the Gulf state, the Saudi Pro League has been aggressively attracting big-name players from major European leagues by offering them extravagant salaries.
As the 2022-23 European club football season has come to a close and teams are already gearing up for the 2023-24 season, the Saudi Pro League clubs are dominating the headlines. Their audacious bids for star players, exemplified by Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr, have ignited a frenzy in the football world. The financial offers made by these clubs are becoming increasingly difficult to turn down, as they surpass what players were earning in their previous clubs.
What motivates these Saudi Pro League clubs to splurge so extravagantly? Their aim, according to reports, is to elevate the revenue generated by the football league and position it among the top ten leagues globally. Unlike other leagues, Saudi clubs operate without restrictions on spending, allowing them to entice players with exorbitant salaries that are hard to resist.
Undoubtedly, Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to join Al-Nassr stands as the most significant moment in the history of the Saudi Pro League. Many European teams were vying for the Portuguese international’s signature, but he ultimately chose the Middle East as his new footballing destination. Despite the backlash from Lionel Messi’s fans, who claimed Ronaldo’s career was finished due to his controversial departure from Manchester United, he has proven them wrong and has opened the eyes of footballers worldwide, inspiring many to consider Saudi Arabian clubs.
Following in Ronaldo’s footsteps, Karim Benzema, his former teammate, recently joined the Saudi League, enticed by the lucrative financial package offered to him. Another notable player, N’Golo Kante, also made the move to the Saudi league.
With the current trajectory, it is conceivable that the Saudi Arabian leagues could establish themselves among the top ten leagues in the world in just a few years’ time. This rapid ascent in prominence showcases the growing influence and ambition of Saudi Arabian football on the global stage.
