Last year, one player from Al-Adalah experienced a rollercoaster of emotions upon hearing news that initially sparked jubilation, only to lead to eventual disappointment. The news? The purported signing of Mohamed Salah, the renowned Liverpool winger. However, reality struck hard—it wasn’t the Egyptian superstar but rather a namesake from Saudi Arabia who had joined the club.
The football landscape in the Saudi Pro League underwent a seismic shift in 2023, attracting a constellation of global football stars. Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-profile move to Al-Nassr, following the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup, set the tone. Soon after, other prominent names from Europe’s top clubs followed suit: Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea, and Ruben Neves from Wolves all made their mark in the Middle East.
Notably, several of Ronaldo’s former teammates from Liverpool also made their way to Saudi Arabia, with Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson joining different clubs in the league. Sadio Mane, another Liverpool star, reunited with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, adding to the league’s allure and competitiveness.
Despite Mohamed Salah signing a lucrative contract extension with Liverpool in 2022, rumors of a colossal £150 million bid from a Saudi club on the eve of the 2023/24 season stirred up considerable attention. Liverpool swiftly dismissed the offer, reaffirming their commitment to retaining Salah’s services.
For Edson, a Brazilian defensive midfielder playing for Al-Adalah, the initial misunderstanding about Salah’s purported signing led to a mix of excitement and eventual realization. Speaking to ESPN in Brazil, Edson candidly shared his initial reaction, “Regarding Salah, I thought it was Liverpool’s. It turned out not to be, I was hoping that was it. Arab football is growing a lot every year and if Salah went there, it wouldn’t be something out of this world.”
In truth, the player in question was a left-back native to Saudi Arabia, who ended up making only a handful of appearances for the club throughout the season.
Edson also reflected on the league’s burgeoning financial muscle and its broader implications during his interview, expressing optimism about the trajectory of Arab football. “People are investing a lot in Arab football, they want to make a stronger league every year. I’m happy to participate in this magical moment that football there is experiencing.”
The allure of the Saudi Pro League continues to grow, drawing attention not only for its financial clout but also for its ability to attract top-tier talent from around the globe. As clubs in the Middle East bolster their rosters with seasoned professionals, the league’s competitive profile rises, promising thrilling matches and new narratives in the seasons to come.
