Saudi Pro League 2023 to 2025: Money Does Not Buy Sports Culture
In 2023, the Saudi Pro League stunned the football world by embarking on one of the most ambitious transfer spending sprees in history, starting with the seismic arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Soon after, the league lured global superstars like Neymar to Al-Hilal and Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad on lucrative contracts that dwarfed offers from Europe. The moves brought instant international attention, transforming Saudi Arabia from a footballing backwater into a new center of headlines and speculation. Fans packed stadiums and broadcasters scrambled for rights, while the government hailed it as a step toward Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the nation’s economy and promote sport.
The influx of stars didn’t stop with the headline names; N’Golo Kanté and Sergej Milinković-Savić also swapped Europe for the Saudi league, alongside players like Aleksandar Mitrović, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez. The result was a league suddenly filled with talent that wouldn’t look out of place in Europe’s top competitions. Clubs poured nearly one billion dollars into transfer fees during the 2023 summer window, creating a spectacle unmatched anywhere else in the world that season. It was an era of glitz, private jets, and eye-watering wages.
However, as the 2024–25 season unfolded, reality began to temper the initial euphoria. While Ronaldo was scoring goals at a remarkable rate, Neymar struggled with injuries throughout his time in the division and reportedly felt unsettled in Saudi Arabia. The transfer market began to notice declining values for stars who had shifted to the SPL, and questions emerged about whether moving to Saudi Arabia was an attractive career path or a final lucrative chapter. Despite occasional brilliant performances, the league faced criticism for an uneven level of competition and matches that often lacked the intensity of European fixtures.
Yet the Saudi Pro League continued to produce memorable football moments. Al-Hilal pulled off shock results in international friendlies and even progressed in the FIFA Club World Cup, showing they could compete with elite teams. Meanwhile, Kanté and Milinković-Savić delivered strong performances that kept their clubs in domestic title races. Some signings, like Mitrović, turned out to be inspired, offering consistent goals and leadership. Though the crowds remained passionate, whispers grew about whether the spending levels could be maintained indefinitely.
Now, in the 2025–26 season, the league finds itself facing an identity crisis of sorts. The headline splurges have slowed significantly, with clubs becoming more cautious and focusing on sustainable squad building rather than merely acquiring star names. Ronaldo remains the face of the league after extending his contract, but fewer superstars are following in his footsteps for record deals. Instead, the SPL seems intent on blending international quality with homegrown talent, hoping to solidify its place as a credible football destination rather than a retirement league for aging stars.
The future of the Saudi Pro League now hinges on its ability to balance ambition with realism. While massive financial resources remain available, clubs are increasingly aware that sustainability is critical for the league’s long-term credibility. Fans still flock to see Ronaldo and others, but expectations have shifted from mere spectacle to a desire for authentic competition. Whether the SPL can evolve from an eye-catching project into a true football powerhouse is the next chapter waiting to be written.
