Saudi League’s record spending fails to deliver the desired results

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RIYADH, May 13: Despite the Saudi Football League’s significant investment in signing numerous star players to elevate the level of competition, the desired results have yet to materialize swiftly.

Despite the infusion of a record $957 million by the Saudi Public Investment Fund into new player transfers, the league has not seen a commensurate increase in competitiveness for the title, public attendance, or Saudi club success in continental championships. Even the performance in the Asian Cup left much to be desired, with an early exit in the round of 16.

While the investment fund attracted top-tier talent for the four clubs it acquired—Al-Hilal, Al-Nasr, Al-Ahly, and Al-Ittihad—only Al-Hilal managed to stand out amidst relatively weak competition.

Despite early setbacks like Neymar’s injury and subsequent absence for the season, Al-Hilal clinched the Super Cup and secured a spot in the cup final against rival Al-Nasr. Notably, Al-Hilal’s recruitment of energetic players like Brazilian Malcolm, Portuguese Ruben Neves, and Serbians Sergey Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic contributed significantly to their league triumph.

Saudi clubs openly voiced concerns regarding the perceived unfair distribution of foreign players among teams. Al-Hilal notably achieved remarkable victories, including a 9-0 win over Al-Hazm, a 7-0 victory against Abha, and a 6-1 triumph over Riyadh. Their remarkable 34-match winning streak across various competitions made history, only to be halted by Al Ain of the Emirates during the AFC Champions League.

The continental disappointments suffered by Al-Hilal, Al-Nasr, and Al-Ittihad—especially the latter’s elimination at the hands of Al-Hilal—underscored the challenges faced by Saudi clubs in strengthening their continental presence and clinching titles.

Internationally, reigning champions Al-Ittihad, bolstered by French stars Benzema and N’Golo Kante, faltered in the Club World Cup, hosted in Saudi Arabia, succumbing to a 1-3 defeat against Egypt’s Al-Ahly in the second round.

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