UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has attempted to play down concerns about Saudi spending power threatening the biggest European clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo 's mega-money mid-season move was just one of a number of high-profile transfers to the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo's Al-Nassr will have plenty of competition next term, with Karim Benzema joining Al-Ittihad after confirming his departure from Real Madrid.
It isn't ending there, with Al-Hilal courting Ruben Neves and the likes of N'Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech also linked with moves to the league. Ceferin, however, is not anticipating a player exodus, and indeed has questioned the approach of the big-spending teams.
"No, no, no," Ceferin told NOS (via ESPN ) when quizzed on the possibility of an exodus. "I think that it's mainly a mistake for Saudi Arabian football.
"Why is that a problem for them? Because they should invest in academies, they should bring coaches, and they should develop their own players."
"The system of buying the players that almost ended their career is not the system that develops football," he added. "It was a similar mistake in China when they all brought players who are at the end of their career."
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After missing out on the title in his first season, Al-Nassr star Ronaldo has opened up on his challenges in his new surroundings. The former Real Madrid star took time to get off the mark, but ended up with 14 goals in 16 appearances.
"The biggest difference I have found in Saudi is obviously the heat and adapting schedules to train later in the day when it is cooler," Ronaldo told LiveScore. "But I have really gotten used to that now. The fans here have been incredible to me, welcoming me, and those that follow me to continue on this amazing journey."
Spending power in Saudi Arabia was already high, as evidenced by the huge salary paid to Ronaldo. However, the step up in transfer interest in European-based stars comes against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund taking stakes in four of the country's biggest clubs.
Lionel Messi will not be one of the bg-name arrivals, though, despite efforts to convince him to move to Al-Hilal. The Paris Saint-Germain star and World Cup winner is leaving the Parc des Princes this summer, but will join Inter Miami following a big-money MLS approach.
The 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season will get underway in August, with a number of sides expecting to add new recruits before then. However, UEFA president Ceferin insisted the carrot of Champions League football should not be underestimated.
"It's not about money only," he said. "Players want to win top competitions. And top competition is in Europe."
