After recruiting prestigious players, Saudi Arabia would aim for the European Champions League.
The Saudi championship has been very active this summer. The Kingdom’s objective is to use football as soft power in order to restore its image and position itself as a serious candidate for the organization of the 2030 or 2034 World Cup. To do this, the country recruits in turn arm the biggest stars in world football. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Mané, Mahrez… are among the key transfers of this transfer window which is not yet over.
A place in C1
It would seem that this new El Dorado does not intend to stop there. Indeed, according to the Corriere dello Sportthe Kingdom would consider asking UEFA to join the European Champions League, from 2024. The idea would be to submit a request to UEFA for a “wild-card” to participate in the new formula of the C1 which will be contested with 36 teams from 2024. The reigning champion of the Saudi Pro League could therefore potentially participate in the Champions League.
The idea of reviewing CR7 and KB9, again in the most prestigious of competitions, is not impossible. It remains to convince UEFA. Which would be a first, because the Saudi Pro League is affiliated with the AFC, an Asian confederation. But Saudi Arabia has already proven that it can do anything convincing.
