It wasn't a surprise when they brought in some of the top players from Europe to join the SPL, it was their plan to boost the League's popularity and it worked. Especially now that there are rumors that one of the clubs from the SPL has asked to join and be part of the Champions League, Al Nassr. Although it is just a rumor, but from here we can see they are successful with their buzz recruiting many players who previously played for big clubs in Europe.
If it does happen (Al Nassr will play in the Champions League), it will be a huge success for the SPL.
I have now spent some time researching where this rumor comes from that the UEFA intends to invite Al-Nassr into the Champions League for the season 24/25. I can't find an official source that either cites any official channel from the UEFA or is itself considered highly trustworthy.
Can anyone post a link here where the UEFA or one of their officials has announced that Al-Nassr will be invited or confirmed that the rumor is true and that there are considerations to extend the Champions League by this club?
That's what I emphasized in what I said earlier "even if it's just a rumor" which I also did not find an official source for this rumor to be followed up. But my point here is that when there are rumors like that circulating, then I can conclude that their league has become popular, even to the point of such rumors. Regardless of who first made the news or anything else, it is of interest to us, me especially. The reason is, I'm thinking what if this really happens? Yes, although realistically I also don't think that far.
The decision to sign many football veterans from the European scene I think can never be a long term plan to improve the quality of football in the Saudi League because most of these players barely have few more years to play professional football before retiring from the the beautiful round leather game. But I think the Saudi League is signing these players for another reason and that's to get global audience and popularity. At the moment, I think they've gotten what they really want when it comes to advertising the league to the world because at the moment, almost every part of the world now discusses about the Saudi League thanks the the presence of football superstars in the league.
Now that they've gotten what they want in terms of global recognition, I think it's now high time they start developing young talents in the country in other to remain popular in world football.
Club football is simply the best competitive games. Players of the current era of football doesn't play for awards or major titles, though some brilliant ones actually focuses on that but those random players focused on earning big salaries from clubs, one of the reason they're focused on moving to SPL clubs and playing significant roles just for the improvement and popularity of the league. Saudi Pro League clubs will not stop until they've succeeded in bringing in more promising players from European football. This is just the beginning as I'm certain they will continue to push for more signings in upcoming summer.
I totally agree when their movement focuses on increasing the popularity of their league. But if they are good at utilizing moments like this, then indirectly they can also build or develop the young players they have to be able to learn directly from the experience of players who have long played in Europe, it will be very motivating for them in my opinion.
But so far I'm also not focusing on that, because I also don't pay much attention to the young players they have now. Yes, I don't deny that my interest in this league is due to the number of star plyers. For me, the matter of young players is purely a matter for their federation or the people who have an interest there.