The Saudi Pro League made big waves in 2023, having recruited some of the sport’s biggest superstars in a bid to grow the league and shake up the established order of world football.
But how are things actually shaping up for the big names now plying their trade in the Gulf State?
The big switch has drawn mixed responses from the big names that left the spotlight of representing Europe’s biggest clubs to earn a considerable bump in wages out for clubs like Al Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad.
“That’s what you think because I’m not in Europe,” former Liverpool star Sadio Mane responded, when asked if it bothered him that he’s getting less attention in Saudi Arabia.
“This is sad for you guys. Because, for you guys, if you don’t play in Europe, it doesn’t matter — I’m not around as a football player.
“Fortunately, I can say the Saudi league is a very good league, and watched by everybody in the world, so, for me, as long as I’m doing my best and I’m enjoying myself every single minute, that’s more important.”
On the other hand, there are notable examples of high-profile players that are said to be unhappy in Saudi Arabia.
Jordan Henderson has returned to Europe after just six months, ex-Celtic favourite Jota is reportedly desperate to leave and Karim Benzema has fallen out with Al-Ittihad coach Marcelo Gallardo.
“Yes, they take care of us, but not enough for my taste,” Aymeric Laporte told Spanish outlet AS.
“In Europe, they pay you a good salary, but they take better care of you.
“At the moment, I haven’t thought about it (leaving Saudi Arabia), but if I’m disappointed in such a short time, you wonder what to do. That moment has not yet arrived, but in the future, it could be if this dynamic continues.”
It will be interesting to see how things develop in the coming months – whether there’s an exodus of high-profile stars in the summer, or whether the Saudi Pro League continues to grow in profile by continuing to recruit some of European football’s biggest names.
In the meantime, we’ve put together a quick guide over the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 campaign – where each team stands in the table, which recognisable players are playing for them, what managers they’re playing under, and what kind of crowds they’re pulling in.
Average attendance figures are sourced via Transfermarkt.
1. Al Hilal – 53 points
Notable players: Bono, Kalidou Koulibaly, Renan Lodi, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Neymar, Michael, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Manager: Jorge Jesus
Average Attendance: 26,842
2. Al-Nassr – 46 points
Notable players: David Ospina, Aymeric Laporte, Alex Telles, Marcelo Brozovic, Otavio, Talisca, Sadio Mane, Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager: Luis Castro
Average Attendance: 20,308
READ: How the 10 highest earners in the Saudi Pro League have fared in 2023-24: Ronaldo, Neymar…
3. Al-Ahli – 40 points
Notable players: Edouard Mendy, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Ezgjan Alioski, Gabri Veiga, Franck Kessie, Allan Saint-Maximin, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino
Manager: Matthias Jaissle
Average Attendance: 17,544
4. Al-Taawoun – 34 points
Notable players: Musa Barrow, Cristian Guanca, Yacouba Dembele
Manager: Pericles Chamusca
Average Attendance: 6202
5. Al-Ittihad – 31 points
Notable players: Luiz Felipe, Fabinho, N’Golo Kante, Jota, Karim Benzema
Manager: Marcelo Gallardo
Average Attendance: 19,870
6. Damac – 30 points
Notable players: Georges-Kevin N’Koudou
Manager: Cosmin Contra
Average Attendance: 5,222
7. Al Fateh – 29 points
Notable players: Cristian Tello, Jason Denayer, Christian Cueva
Manager: Slaven Bilic
Average Attendance: 9,558
8. Al-Ettifaq – 25 points
Notable players: Jack Hendry, Seko Fofana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray, Moussa Dembele, Karl Toko Ekambi, Robin Quaison
Manager: Steven Gerrard
Average Attendance: 7,854
9. Al-Wehda – 25 points
Notable players: Odion Ighalo, Craig Goodwin, Oscar Duarte
Manager: Georgios Donis
Average Attendance: 3,095
10. Al-Khaleej – 22 points
Notable players: Lisandro Lopez, Mo Adams
Manager: Pedro Emanuel
Average Attendance: 3,787
11. Al-Shabab – 21 points
Notable players: Romain Saiss, Ivan Rakitic, Yannick Carrasco, Vitinho, Carlos Junior, Habib Diallo
Manager: Vitor Pereira
Average Attendance: 5,563
12. Al Okhdood – 20 points
Notable players: –
Manager: Martin Sevela
Average Attendance: 2,239
13. Al-Raed – 19 points
Notable players: –
Manager: Igor Jovicevic
Average Attendance: 6,246
14. Al Feina – 19 points
Notable players: Fashion Sakala
Manager: Vuk Rasovic
Average Attendance: 3,465
15. Al-Riyadh – 19 points
Notable players: Didier Ndong, Andre Gray
Manager: Odair Hellmann
Average Attendance: 1,349
16. Al-Tai – 17 points
Notable players: –
Manager: Laurentiu Reghecampf
Average Attendance: 4,798
17. Abha – 14 points
Notable players: –
Manager: George Timis
Average Attendance: 2,543
18. Al-Hazm – 13 points
Notable players: –
Manager: Jose Daniel Carreno
Average Attendance: 2,692
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