A number of players have been tipped to play in the Saudi Arabian professional league.
European soccer transfer agency TransferMarkt on Wednesday (Nov. 3) released its top 11 list of players who could play in Saudi Arabia next season. Ronaldo has been playing for Al Nasr since January, while Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) expires at the end of the season, has recently been linked with a move to Al Hilal.
Benzema (Real Madrid) and Zeko (Inter Milan) round out the top 11 forwards who could potentially play in the Saudi professional league. Midfielders include Messi (PSG), Modric (Real Madrid), Traore (Wolverhampton), Busquets (Barcelona), and Kante (Chelsea), while defenders include Alba (Barcelona), Ramos (PSG), and Bellerin (Sporting). Joris (Tottenham) was named goalkeeper.
Along with Messi, who holds the record for most individual Ballon d’Or wins, 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Modric and last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Benzema were also mentioned as players who could potentially play in the Saudi Arabian professional league. The list also includes six players who have won a World Cup: Messi, Benzema, Kante, Busquets, Ramos, and Yoris.
Following Ronaldo, Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia has been in the spotlight, with Spanish media outlet Sport reporting on Thursday that “Al-Hilal will announce the signing of Messi on June 6. Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 16 games since joining the Saudi Arabian professional league in mid-season, as Al Nasr finished second in the league with a record of 20 wins, 7 draws and 3 losses (67 points), failing to win the title for the first time in four seasons. Speaking to Saudi Pro League after the season, Ronaldo said, “I was hoping to win the title this year, but things didn’t work out as I had hoped. The team has improved a lot in the last six months. The Saudi Pro League is a very good league. I will stay in the Saudi Pro League. I think in the next five years, the Saudi Pro League can be among the top five leagues in the world.” 안전놀이터
Al Hilal, who has been linked with a move for Messi, holds the record for most Saudi Pro League titles (18). Al-Hilal finished third in the Saudi Pro League this season with a record of 17 wins, 8 draws and 5 losses (59 points).