Not all that glitters is gold. And in the case of the Arab Saudi Pro League, the adage took very little time to become a reality. Almost a year ago, Cristiano Ronaldo opened a path that a few months later they followed Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio Mané, N’Golo Kanté or the Spanish international Aymeric LaporteBesides others.
Despite many of them being in their prime, they were lured by petrodollars and public money from Saudi Arabia, which took over 75% of the country’s big four clubs (Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al- Ahli and Al-Nassr) through its Public Investment Fund.
Exactly one of them, the Al-Ittihadthe Portuguese attacker has been active since last July Joao Pedro Neves Filipe ‘Jota’which originates from its destruction at Celtic Scotsman under the command of Ange Postecogloucurrent technician of Tottenham Hotspur.
Most expensive transfer in Celtic history
His 28 goals and 26 assists in two seasons led the reigning Saudi champions to pay 30 million euros for Jotmaking it the most expensive transfer in the history of Celtic. However, his adventure in Arabia went wrong from the start.
In August, the local press was already talking about “discontent between the fans and the leaders” of the Al-Ittihadwhere they also militate Benzema, Kante, Fabinho and the former Betic Luis Felipe, for the arrival of a footballer “without a star sign.” And what begins badly …
No League record
The signing of Luis Felipemade official on September 7, cause Jot will be left without a record for the Saudi Pro League, where a maximum of eight foreign players are allowed per team, reducing its participation in the AFC Champions League, the Asian Champions League.
A situation that has become unsustainable and where, according to ‘The day‘, may provide a solution Postecoglou. The Australian, best coach in September, October and November in the Premier League, is ready to shelter his former student in London and thus alleviate his defeats in the offensive field, with James Maddison, Ivan Perisic, Manor Salomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison injured.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
