Who is the most expensive player in Saudi Arabia?

Who is the most expensive player in the Saudi football championship?

Saudi Arabia has become a new destination for some of the world's best footballers, who have been tempted by the lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League 2023 2024. The league has seen a massive influx of star players from Europe and South America, who have signed eye-watering contracts with the Saudi clubs. But who is the most expensive player in Saudi Arabia? And how do they compare to their counterparts in other leagues? In this article, we will rank the top 10 highest paid footballers in the Saudi Pro League, based on their reported annual salaries.

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The top 10 highest paid footballers in the Saudi Pro League

Here is the list of the top 10 highest paid footballers in the Saudi Pro League as of October 2023, according to various sources:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($213 million): The Portuguese superstar is the undisputed king of the Saudi Pro League, earning a whopping $213 million per season at Al-Nassr. He joined the club in January 2023 from Manchester United, and has since scored 32 goals in 28 games. He is also the highest paid footballer in the world, earning more than double his former rival Lionel Messi, who earns $95 million at PSG.
2. Karim Benzema ($212 million): The French striker is a close second to Ronaldo, earning $212 million per year at Al-Ittihad. He moved to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 from Real Madrid, where he had spent 12 seasons and won four Champions League titles. He has formed a lethal partnership with Roberto Firmino, scoring 28 goals in 26 games.
3. N'Golo Kante ($100 million): The French midfielder is the third highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $100 million per season at Al-Ahli. He joined the club in August 2023 from Chelsea, where he had won two Premier League titles and one Champions League title. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and has been instrumental in Al-Ahli's success.
4. Neymar ($100 million): The Brazilian forward is tied with Kante for the third spot, earning $100 million per year at Al-Hilal. He signed for the club in September 2023 from PSG, where he had spent four seasons and won three Ligue 1 titles. He is one of the most skillful and creative players in the world, and has scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists in 25 games.
5. Jordan Henderson ($85 million): The English midfielder is the fifth highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $85 million per season at Al-Nassr. He joined the club in July 2023 from Liverpool, where he had captained the team to their first Premier League title and their sixth Champions League title. He is a versatile and influential player, who can play as a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, or a right-back.
6. Riyad Mahrez ($80 million): The Algerian winger is the sixth highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $80 million per year at Al-Hilal. He moved to the club in August 2023 from Manchester City, where he had won three Premier League titles and one Champions League title. He is a tricky and fast player, who can play on either wing or as a second striker.
7. Ederson ($75 million): The Brazilian goalkeeper is the seventh highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $75 million per season at Al-Nassr. He transferred to the club in July 2023 from Manchester City, where he had won three Premier League titles and one Champions League title. He is a reliable and agile keeper, who is also known for his long-range passing and ball-playing skills.
8. Roberto Firmino ($70 million): The Brazilian forward is the eighth highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $70 million per year at Al-Ittihad. He signed for the club in July 2023 from Liverpool, where he had won one Premier League title and one Champions League title. He is a versatile and hard-working player, who can play as a striker, a false nine, or an attacking midfielder.
9. Matheus Pereira ($65 million): The Brazilian midfielder is the ninth highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $65 million per season at Al-Hilal. He joined the club in July 2023 from West Bromwich Albion, where he had scored 11 goals and assisted 10 in the Premier League. He is a creative and technical player, who can play as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or a winger.
10. Ever Banega ($60 million): The Argentine midfielder is the tenth highest paid player in Saudi Arabia, earning $60 million per year at Al-Shabab. He moved to the club in July 2020 from Sevilla, where he had won three Europa League titles. He is an experienced and intelligent player, who can play as a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box midfielder, or a defensive midfielder.

Conclusion

The Saudi Pro League has become one of the most lucrative and attractive leagues in the world, with some of the best players in the world joining its ranks. The league has seen a huge increase in its reputation, revenue, and competitiveness, as well as its fan base and media attention. However, the league also faces some challenges and criticisms, such as its financial sustainability, its regulatory compliance, and its ethical implications. The future of football in Saudi Arabia and beyond will depend on how the league manages these issues and balances its ambitions and responsibilities.