The Saudi Pro League 2024–25 season begins on Thursday, August 22, but the previous summer’s wild spending binge has clearly abated. A year ago, elite athletes were moving to the Middle East at a never-before-seen pace. The league spent over £700 million bringing in top names like Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Riyad Mahrez to join Cristiano Ronaldo. Expectations for a similarly lavish summer in 2024 haven’t been met, reflecting a broader downturn in global football transfers.
Why Has the Saudi Pro League Spending Declined?
Simon Chadwick, a professor of sport and geopolitical economy at Skema Business School in Paris, notes that this summer has been quiet not just in Saudi Arabia but globally. “It has been a relatively quiet summer across global football,” Chadwick explained, citing economic challenges, the late conclusion of international tournaments, and local financial regulations as key factors.
Despite rumors linking stars like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. to Saudi clubs, there hasn’t been a blockbuster deal. The biggest move so far has been a rejected £35 million bid from Al-Ahli for Brentford striker Ivan Toney. Chadwick claims that continuing to invest at the same level in pricey foreign talent is expensive and doesn’t necessarily translate into success. As a result, Saudi football is now more strategically minded, prioritizing long-term planning above big-time acquisitions.
Star Power Still Shines in Saudi Arabia
While this summer has been quieter, the Saudi Pro League is still home to plenty of star power. The league sent 14 players to this year’s European Championship, including Al-Ahli’s Turkish defender Merih Demiral. “We showed everyone that the Saudi Pro League is not an easy league,” Demiral said, highlighting the competitive nature of the matches and the intense training schedules.
The ‘Big Four’ Clubs Continue to Dominate
The same organization that owns Newcastle United, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Saudi government, supports the “Big Four” teams of the Saudi Pro League: Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad. These teams are still drawing in top talent from around the world, but this year they have been more frugal with their spending.
Al-Hilal remains the dominant force, having cruised to a 19th domestic league title last season, finishing 14 points clear of Al-Nassr. The team’s signings, including Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves, have made them even stronger. With Mitrovic outscoring everyone but Ronaldo and Neves ranking high in assists, Al-Hilal’s defense, led by Kalidou Koulibaly, was nearly impenetrable. However, much attention is on Neymar, who only played five games before suffering a knee injury last October. His return is tentatively expected in September.
Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, despite a high-scoring season with 100 goals, finished second and went trophyless. With Ronaldo once again leading the line alongside Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic, the pressure is on for coach Luis Castro after a poor pre-season and a heavy 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Super Cup final.
Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad, champions in 2022-23, underperformed last season despite signing Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho. A turbulent year saw two managerial changes, with Laurent Blanc now taking the reins. With no Asian Champions League commitments and the addition of Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa in the summer’s biggest deal so far (around £50 million), fans are hopeful for a stronger showing this season.
In contrast, Al-Ahli has strengthened its offensive line with Mahrez, Firas Al-Buraikan, and Roberto Firmino. Firmino has performed well in the preseason despite Fenerbahce acquiring Allan Saint-Maximin, indicating that things will get better under 36-year-old coach Matthias Jaissle.
Attendance and Competitiveness Challenges
Despite the presence of high-profile players, average attendance in the league remains modest, just over 8,000 last season. The big four clubs attract the largest crowds, but boosting numbers across the rest of the league is a priority. Al-Ahli’s passionate fanbase is one of the league’s highlights, with away crowds of up to 20,000 regularly supporting the team. Support from the crowd is crucial, as Merih Demiral noted: “Our fans are really amazing, especially when we go to away games.” They show up in large quantities, which is fantastic for us players.
Newcomers and Fresh Faces
Even while the best teams in the league are still in control, some intriguing things are happening in other areas. Al-Ettifaq, led by Steven Gerrard, finished sixth last season and has strengthened with the signing of Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak. Al-Qadsiah, a team from Al-Khobar recently promoted to the top tier, is making waves after being taken over by Aramco. Along with other talents from Latin America, the club also signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nacho, a former Real Madrid defender, from Marseille.
What’s Next for the Saudi Pro League?
While the Saudi Pro League’s spending has slowed this summer, the league remains a major player in global football. The top four teams continue to be the center of attention for sports fans worldwide and engage in intense competition. However, there is still work to be done to improve attendance, make smaller teams more competitive, and find a long-term balance between star power and expansion.
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