Saudi Arabia’s humbling of eventual World Cup winners Argentina in Qatar sent shock waves through football.
But the way things are going in the Saudi Arabia Pro-League, that moment in Middle East history will merely end up being a ripple on the footballing Richter scale. Because even the riches of the Premier League are under threat as the country’s sovereign wealth fund which has recently taken over its four biggest clubs can blow any side out of the water with its mind blowing financial offers to players.
Although Lionel Messi was able to turn down a £320 million a year package to join Al-Hilal in favour of David Beckham ’s MLS side Inter Miami, Real Madrid ’s French superstar Karim Benzema couldn’t resist the £350 million from Al-Ittihad over two years which equates to a staggering £3.3 million a week.
