Saudi Arabia, Having Signed Ronaldo and Neymar, Aims to Enter European Champions League

Saudi League COO "Discussing with UEFA in Some Way"
Saudi Backed by Oil Money "SPL Growth is a Long-Term Process"

Saudi Arabia, which has signed global football stars Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Al Nassr) and Neymar da Silva (Brazil, Al Hilal), is aiming to enter the UEFA Champions League, considered the world's top league. Backed by massive 'oil money,' Saudi Arabia is shaking up the football world, and attention is focused on whether it can officially enter the European football scene, regarded as the 'center of world football.'

Carlo Noura, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Saudi Professional League (SPL), stated in an interview with Bloomberg News on the 27th (local time) that the SPL is interested in entering the European Champions League. He said he expects discussions between UEFA and the Saudi Football Federation regarding this matter to take place in some form.

While clearly emphasizing that the SPL is doing its best in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, to which it belongs, Noura COO said regarding entry into the UEFA Champions League, "We are striving for differentiation and welcome any format changes or improvements that can be introduced within the European Champions League."

Earlier, European media reported that Saudi Arabia, as part of its open policy, is discussing UEFA Champions League participation at the government level. It is reported that Saudi Arabia is considering allowing the SPL champion team to participate in the UEFA Champions League starting in 2025. Noura COO’s interview remarks are interpreted as reinforcing these reports.

Foreign media reactions suggest that the possibility of Saudi Arabia entering the UEFA Champions League in the near term is low. However, since Saudi Arabia has recently attracted great attention by actively recruiting star players using its financial power, there is speculation that these efforts could become a variable in the future.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia signed Ronaldo, who was released from Manchester United in the English Premier League (EPL), and this month signed Neymar, formerly of FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, to Saudi football clubs Al Nassr and Al Hilal, respectively. Karim Benzema, last year’s Ballon d'Or winner, also transferred to Saudi football club Al Ittihad and recently drew attention by scoring his first goal. Each time news of star player transfers is reported, the large transfer fees Saudi Arabia has agreed to pay attract attention.

Regarding this, Noura COO emphasized, "We are doing whatever it takes to bring famous players to Saudi Arabia." He explained that while Saudi Arabia’s budget is not unlimited, it is willing to pay the costs necessary to bring the best players to Saudi Arabia.

The EPL and others are also the world’s largest football markets, generating huge revenues in the football world. Compared to this, the SPL’s profitability is lower. Rather, it appears to be spending large sums on player acquisitions. However, Saudi Arabia is expected to inject additional funds into the football industry as an investment.

Noura COO stated that the SPL is currently broadcast in about 140 countries, and since Ronaldo joined the Saudi league, broadcasting-related revenue has increased by 650%. He evaluated this revenue as a 'meaningful movement,' although it is not large compared to the investment. He also said that the growth of the SPL itself is a long-term matter and that there is no specific deadline to reach the break-even point. He added, "Raising the corporate value of the league and football clubs is the core of what we need to do," and "If these efforts make the league and clubs assets worth investing in, we will have achieved our goal."

The background behind Saudi clubs competing to sign global football stars lies in the 'Vision 2030' blueprint led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Under a strategy to transform the economy, which relied solely on oil sales, into a future-oriented new industry base, there is a determination to make Saudi Arabia a global 'sports mecca.' However, there is also criticism that Saudi Arabia is aiming for 'sports washing'?using sports to cleanse its national image.