SUMMARY
- European teams were concerned as many of their greatest players chose to depart this 2023-24 season in response to multi-million dollar offers from certain Saudi Arabian sides.
- However, according to various reports, a lot of elite athletes wish to depart Saudi Arabia.
European teams were concerned as many of their greatest players chose to depart this 2023-24 season in response to multi-million dollar offers from certain Saudi Arabian sides. After Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United to play at Al-Nassr in December 2022 in the Saudi Pro League, famous individuals like Sadio Mané, Karim Benzema, and Neymar Jr. followed.
From the 2023–2024 season onward, the Saudi Pro League experienced exponential growth thanks to these signings. Until a few months ago, most fans across five continents probably had no idea that Saudi Arabia’s premier clubs existed. Now, however, many of them follow their matches.
🚨 Many players are already considering leaving Saudi Arabia. 👋🇸🇦
They are put off by the climate, the culture, the low crowds in the stadiums and women’s rights for their wives.
A real exodus could take place next summer. ✈️
(Source: @sport ) pic.twitter.com/CIn7dypKY5
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 8, 2024
However, according to various reports, a lot of elite athletes wish to depart Saudi Arabia. The main reasons include the peculiar weather, culture, poor match attendance, and limitations on women’s rights that impact the wives of the athletes.
More and more claims surface about some of the coaches and players who came to Saudi Arabia this 2023-24 season allegedly being disappointed. They have come upon a nation where soccer lacks the enthusiasm found in South America or Europe. Statistics on stadium attendance support this as well: the majority of clubs often have fewer than 5,000 fans present. With an average of 29,000 fans, Al-Ittihad is one of the few exceptions.
Jordan Henderson regrets joining the Saudi Pro League
Only six months since leaving the Premier League, Jordan Henderson wants to go back. When Henderson decided to leave Liverpool and sign with Al Ettifaq of the Saudi Professional League, it created headlines. It also appears that he is regretful to have joined the Saudi Pro League for the 2023–2024 season.
Henderson endured some of the harshest criticism despite being one of several well-known athletes to relocate to the Middle East because of his prior work as a champion for the LGBTQ+ community. Also, the Daily Mail claims that the negative responses are starting to wear him down.
🚨🚨| Jordan Henderson has offered himself to Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen in attempts to flee Saudi Arabia.
[@talkSPORT] pic.twitter.com/cL0Lofy2Io
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) January 8, 2024
The 33-year-old is also said to have had trouble with the high humidity and heat and to have told the other players that he will take any offers that are made. The English soccer player will need to accept a hefty wage decrease if a transfer occurs to assist teams in adhering to financial fair play regulations.
The teams looking to add midfield depth include Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Newcastle, FC Bayern Munich; it’s unclear, though, if Henderson could be on their lists. Returning to England might also help him in his quest for a roster slot in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 team before the competition takes place in Germany this year.