Key players want out of Saudi soccer league: reports

Adam Lucente

Jan 10, 2024

Jordan Henderson of Al Ettifaq and Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli battling for the ball during the Saudi Pro League match. — Jordan Henderson of Al Ettifaq and Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli battling for the ball during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Sept. 30, 2023, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. — Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Some of the Saudi Pro League’s top stars are looking to leave during the transfer window, according to reports, demonstrating the potential limits of the kingdom’s appeal to soccer players.

The Saudi association football (soccer) league landed Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in late 2022 and then added Brazil’s Neymar, France’s Karim Benzema and several other top soccer players last year in a nearly $1 billion spending spree. However, a few of the league’s most well-known players, possibly including Benzema, are reportedly looking to leave during the Jan. 1-30 transfer window. The following is a breakdown of the players who may leave the Saudi Pro League:

Benzema

Benzema joined Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad in June, having previously spent the bulk of his career at Real Madrid. The deal is reportedly worth more than $200 million over two and a half years.