With some of the world’s leading soccer players being tempted by the money on offer from Saudi Arabian soccer clubs, the Saudi Pro League’s (SPL) new Director of Football, Michael Emenalo, says the Gulf state is “disrupting the industry, but we are disrupting to enhance. We’re adding value to the industry.”
The Saudi Pro League consists of 18 clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo and current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema are just a few of players who have joined a variety of SPL clubs over the last few months, and it was was the SPL club Al Hilal which made the reported world record transfer bid of $332 million for France and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé in July.
Although Mbappé reportedly rejected Al Hilal’s advances, Emenalo was coy on the chances of the French star joining the SPL in the future.
“I don’t know if he doesn’t want to come. Maybe, he doesn’t want to come now,” Emenalo told CNN Senior Sports Analyst Darren Lewis in an exclusive interview.
“I wouldn’t say that’s been completely ruled out … I don’t think he’s made any clear statement to that effect.”
The SPL’s strategy is a measured one, according to Emenalo.
“We have economic power. That’s true, but there is also a sensible, logical, thoughtful process to making the league better,” he said.
The SPL is “set up to welcome everyone,” he continued.
Emenalo also says the motivation of players, who are making the move to Saudi Arabia is greater than just “economic incentive” – creating a “retirement league” – and that there is a wider desire to raise the SPL’s technical level and profile.
Players like Benzema have “made this decision because part of the competitive beast as a former footballer myself […] is the willingness to go and blaze a trail,” according to Emenalo.
