Saudi Arabia, end of El Dorado?

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By: Manu Tournoux

Saudi Arabia, end of El Dorado?

Six months after a mass exodus, many players are expressing their regret at having joined Saudi Arabia, and are already thinking of returning to Europe.

This was the year everything changed. In 2023, many football stars left Europe to give in to the lure of the Saudi championship, which upset the balance of the transfer market. But six months after a mass exodus, many players regret their departure to the Saudi Pro League, and are already thinking of leaving the country.

There are many cases, like that of Seko Fofana, much less fulfilled at Al-Nassr than he was at Lens, or that of Karim Benzema, who is already thought to want to leave Al-Ittihad . Six months after his departure from Liverpool, Roberto Firmino could return to the Premier League this winter, in the colors of Fulham.

Money is not everything

Another notable example is that of Jordan Henderson. The former Liverpool captain would not be happy at Al-Ettifaq, where he rubs shoulders with some well-known faces (Gerrard, Firmino, Wijnaldum, etc.). Playing in hot and humid conditions, in a stadium that is three-quarters empty (7,800 spectators on average for a capacity of 35,000), would not appeal much to the England international. And money isn’t everything.

Henderson thus signed a monumental contract, worth 40 million euros. But he is required to stay two years in Saudi Arabia to benefit from the tax advantages offered by his contract. If he leaves the country hastily, the former Liverpool player could owe around 8 million euros to the Saudi tax authorities, according to the Daily Mail.

The financial sacrifice would be colossal for Henderson if he returned to Europe, and if confirmed, it would say a lot about his desire to leave Saudi Arabia. And this could then make other players courted by Saudi clubs hesitate during the next transfer windows…

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.