The Saudi Pro League has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, both in terms of quality of play and overall popularity. The league has attracted international attention with the influx of highly talented players and experienced coaches.
Clubs have been making strategic investments to strengthen their squads and improve facilities.
The league’s partnership with the Saudi Arabian government and the involvement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also played a role in its development.
Read also: Saudi Pro league starts new season with star-studded European signings
The kingdom has pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into attracting top European talent, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022 as part of a €200 million ($219 million) per year package that makes him the world’s highest-paid athlete.
Other top players that have recently joined Saudi teams include Karim Benzema in a $107 million deal with Al Ittihad, Sadio Mané in a $43.83 million deal with Al Nassr, and Riyad Mahrez with a $32 million deal.
The league has dominated the sports headlines over the summer as Saudi clubs cumulatively spent more than $1 billion in transfer fees and attracted some of the biggest names from Europe’s top leagues with mammoth contract offers.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle United, has taken control of the four largest teams in the Saudi Pro League – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli and is able to offer lucrative contracts to players.
According to data from Capology, BusinessDay Weekender x-rays the top earners in money-spinning oil-rich Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo ($4.1million weekly wage)
Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United came to an acrimonious end in November 2022 and his $632,409-a-week contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2022 as part of a $219 million per year package that makes him the world’s highest-paid athlete.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner then bid farewell to European football and put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Al-Nassr.
Read also: Saudi pro league: A new football powerhouse emerges from Asia
His salary in Saudi Arabia is far ahead of what he takes at United as he now earns $ 4.1 million per week, making him the highest-paid footballer in the world.
The 38-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, scoring 34 goals in his first 40 appearances in all competitions and helping Al-Nassr win the Arab Club Champions Cup.
Neymar ($2.1million weekly wage)
After enduring a turbulent six-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar agreed to leave the French capital at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The 31-year-old joined Al Hilal in a deal that could be worth $105million, making him one of the most expensive players in the history of the Saudi Pro League.
Alongside the transfer fee, Al Hilal also shelled out a significant pay packet as they are giving him a reported $2.1million-per-week.
Karim Benzema ($2.1million weekly wage)
Benzema spent 14 years at Real Madrid, winning four LaLiga titles, three Copa del Reys, five Champions Leagues, four UEFA Super Cups and five FIFA World Club Cups.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner looked set to sign a one-year extension at the Bernabeu in 2023, but he performed a U-turn after receiving a lucrative offer from Al-Ittihad.
The 35-year-old agreed a three-year deal with the Saudi Arabian side and more than quadrupled his wages, going from £401,344-per-week in Madrid to $2.1million-per-week in Jeddah.
Read also: Saudi Pro League: From financial inducement to football development
Riyad Mahrez ($1.1million weekly wage)
After helping Manchester City win a historic treble in 2022/23, Mahrez decided it was time for a fresh challenge in the summer.
He completed a $37million move to Al Ahli, who also signed Edouard Mendy, Gabri Veiga, Roberto Firmino and Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Algeria international signed a deal until 2027 and will be paid a reported $55.6million-per-year, equating to $1.1million-per-week.
He appears to be enjoying himself in Saudi Arabia, registering four goals and six assists in his first 11 Saudi Pro League appearances.
Jordan Henderson ($822,192 weekly wage)
Henderson brought the curtain down on his 12-year Liverpool career in the summer and joined Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard.
The England international is earning $ 822.192 per week in Saudi Arabia, but he insists there was more behind his decision than money.
“People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation,” Henderson told The Athletic. “Ever. Don’t get me wrong, when you move, the business deal has to be tight.
“You have to have financials, you have to feel wanted, you have to feel valued. And money is a part of that. But that wasn’t the sole reason. And these possibilities came up before money was even mentioned.”
Read also: Rooney snubs Saudi millions to manage Birmingham City
Sadio Mane ($822,192 weekly wage)
After enduring a difficult debut season at Bayern Munich in 2022/23, Senegalese star Mane left the Bundesliga and accepted a lucrative offer from Al-Nassr.
Mane earns a weekly salary of $822,192 in Saudi Arabia and donates lots of money to good causes and recently bought fourth-tier French club Bourges Foot 18.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
