Which teams did the champions go to? – Corriere.it

Saudi Arabia wants everyone. The frenzied shopping this summer has brought Riyadh to the center of the football universe. Cristiano Ronaldo the first precious stone stolen from the noble European ball. Then Benzema, Brozovic, Kant, Koulibaly, Milinkovic-Savic. A stellar championship, one of the top ten in the world: this is the project (and dream) of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. A strategy that looks to the long term with the final goal being the 2030 World Cup. But growth proceeds rapidly, thanks to Saud, the local currency, and promises to the champions who arrive in the desert: starred chefs, air-conditioned golf courses, Olympic swimming pools, international schools, spas with gold fittings. A strong call. But how is the Saudi Arabian championship drawn? How many teams participate? Who finances them? And where do Serie A veterans play? Questions, let’s see the answers.

The championship: how does it work?

The Saudi Pro League, the championship that Bin Salman is filling with stars, was born in 1974 with eight participating teams. Today I am 18 (from this season, in the past there were 16). The most successful club is Al-Hilal, with 18 titles, but reigning champions Al-Ittihad (9 total titles, like Al-Nassr). There are therefore 34 championship days scheduled: whoever wins the title qualifies for the Asian Champions League, the runner-up and the winner of the King Cup (the local Cup) access the playoffs to enter the Champions League. The bottom three are relegated to the second division.

The rules on foreign players

Each team can register a maximum of eight foreign players, a number that drops to seven in the slip to be delivered for consignments. An example: after buying Brozovic, Al Nassr has already used seven slots, so they can only buy another foreign player (unless there are transfers).

The teams controlled by the Pif fund

The sovereign wealth fund Pif (Public Investment Fund) directly controls four clubs: Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al Ahli. These are the teams that invest the most money in European football (Al-Nassr alone guaranteed 400 million in three years to Cristiano Ronaldo).

Where former Serie A players play (and not only)

The Al-Ittihad, winner of the last Saudi League, is based in Jeddah. He bought the Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema. With him also arrived Kant from Chelsea and Jota from Celtic (not Diogo Jota, who plays for Liverpool).

The Al-Nassr, which finished second in the league, is based in Riyadh. he added Marcelo Brozovic to Cristiano Ronaldo
. David is also with them Ospinaformer Napoli and Arsenal goalkeeper, and Anderson TaliscaBrazilian full-back who did great things at Benfica, and former River Plate Gonzalo el Pity Martinez.

The Al-Hilal is based in Riyadh and led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. This summer it welcomed Kalidou Koulibaly, back from a season at Chelsea after a life at Napoli, and Ruben Snow, formerly Wolverhampton. Two more free slots for foreigners: the next one will be filled by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, arriving for 40 million euros from Lazio. Also in the squad are Moussa Marega and Andr Carrillo, forwards with a long history in Europe.

The Al-Ahli is based in Jeddah. Two years ago they were relegated to the second division, but have already returned to the top flight. This summer he added the former Liverpool striker to the roster (which includes the former Lazio Bastos). Firmino and the former Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy.

Again: in theAl Shabab (club based in Riyadh) plays the former Inter Ever midfielder Banega; In the Khaleej Fc (club which is based in Saihat)
there is Lisandro Lopez, an Argentinian defender also ex Inter; in the’Al-Fayha (club based in Al-Majma’ah, not far from Riyadh) there is the Macedonian Trajkovski, a past in Palermo (and in the curriculum also the elimination from the World Cup playoffs of Italy). And many more will come.

Who said no to Arabia

There are also those who said no. Lionel Messi, for example, has accepted to be a living sponsor of Arabia, but has preferred the heat of Miami and the MLS as a promised land to end his career. Then Romelu Lukaku, sought by Al-Hilal: No, thanks, the answer from the Belgian, who only wants Inter. Al-Hilal has also always tried to Modric, for which 200 million a year were ready: better to stay at Real Madrid. Rino Gattuso he also spoke to the Saudi prime minister, but he declined the offer to coach a club in the desert. Jos Mourinho instead he was tempted by Al-Ahli: he met Saudi emissaries in a hotel in London in June, but preferred to stay in Rome.