Mane now also moving there.
Saudi League thread
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
In some parts, sure.
In other parts of the world, the USA have never enjoyed a very good reputation (for very good reasons).
Ronaldo must be spitting feathers... goes over there thinking he'll score a million goals against a load of chumps and win everything, wins nothing and now the rest of the league aren't just catching up, but overtaking 
I think in the case of the U.S. there is greater separation between reputations of the government and the country.
The U.S. doesn't need to do much PR to get people to move there or to do tourism or whatever.
Mane and Mahrez are bigger signings than anything China or Russia did and they’ve completed them on the same day.
Thank god. Amazing to think we might not lose money on this bum.
Both in twilight of their careers and following terrible or average seasons, one is 31 and actively pushed out by his club after falling out and looking shit on the pitch, another is 32 and obviously his minutes at City are better spent on someone for the future. But yeah, Premier League and Bundesliga be scared, they’re coming for your elderly
I forgot to replyFocusing on the second part of your reply.
I'm someone who is vigorously opposed to Russia's illegal war on Ukraine and hope Russia suffers an overwhelming defeat.
If someone was going to Russia to work for their defense ministry or armament industry, I'd have an issue with that as there is a direct link between their profit, and Russia channeling their work output into continuing the war in Ukraine. If they were Britney Griner going to Russia to play basketball to earn more money than they would in the WNBA in the US, and otherwise did not contribute positively to the war, then I would not have any issues with that.
Same with Henderson. If he permitted his image to be used in anti-LGBT rhetoric, or started equivocating how LGBT folk should tone it down, then I'd have a problem with the move. So far, I've seen no evidence that his transfer to Saudi Arabia has an additional detrimental impact on the plight of LGBT people in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere.
The inconsistency of this standard is what gets to me the most. It's immoral to play in Saudi Arabia, but playing in Turkey or Florida USA is ok?
Cheers for the replies guys. My stance is obviously pretty different but I appreciate you all taking the time to answer my questions. Your replies succinctly informed me of your philosophy(in situations like this) which is exactly what I was looking for. Plus a bonus point for it leading me to realise Griner actually played in Russia for a Russian side, I thought it was an exhibition match or something.
You’re right. This is obviously just old and unwanted players - nothing big at all.
Samuel Eto'o moved to Anzhi Makhachkala in 2011. He was younger than either Mane or Mahrez (30 years old), and more distinguished: won 3 CL titles, two trebles, two AFCONs, Olympic Gold, won African Player of the Year four times. He was a bigger signing than either of these two.
As intriguing as this whole then of events has been, I'm more interested in what will happen 12 months from now. How many will stay, how many, if any, will walk out mid-season. Will the league progress and attract top talent?
I am waiting for the club owner to simply allocate players around to form the best possible teams.
Pretty much nailed it.
Kessie on the verge of signing for Al Ahli.
This 4 way title race this season is going to be really fun !
Worth noting the big 3 clubs have struggled so far in the Arab champions cup (I guess it’s a league cup equivalent over there ?)
Al Ittihad won their first 2 games with late winners
Al Nassr barely qualified
Al Hilal narrow wins
The stars have been the difference with both Benzema and Ronaldo being the difference makers for their clubs meanwhile Savic and Neves scored for Al Hilal today in there 2-1 win.
This 4 way title race this season is going to be really fun !
Worth noting the big 3 clubs have struggled so far in the Arab champions cup (I guess it’s a league cup equivalent over there ?)
Al Ittihad won their first 2 games with late winners
Al Nassr barely qualified
Al Hilal narrow wins
The stars have been the difference with both Benzema and Ronaldo being the difference makers for their clubs meanwhile Savic and Neves scored for Al Hilal today in there 2-1 win.
I just find al hillal's line up much superior to the others, they'll probably steam roll the league.
I think Ittihad has a lineup comparable but they for sure look like the two most balances squads.
Al Nassr really need a good defender at least because the back like is awful.
In case of ittihad I suppose it depends on how fit jante is and whether karim will give his best.
Al nasr as you said yourself looks awfully unbalanced, doubt they'll achieve much success.
There maybe only a few years of interest in the Saudi League before the insane salaries stop and there will be no more signings like. Henderson, Neves and co. It could well then go back to the Ighalo's of the world going there.
With hindsight though, Ronaldo moving to Al Nassr has had a huge change for football. I know at the time Ronaldo was being a selfish cnut and desperate to escape and we did well to cut his wages and remove him from the squad.
But, I wonder if we had held out for a transfer fee, would they have paid up... it clearly has put the spotlight to their league, they may have been willing to stump up £30M or so. Oh well all in the past now.
With hindsight though, Ronaldo moving to Al Nassr has had a huge change for football. I know at the time Ronaldo was being a selfish cnut and desperate to escape and we did well to cut his wages and remove him from the squad.
But, I wonder if we had held out for a transfer fee, would they have paid up... it clearly has put the spotlight to their league, they may have been willing to stump up £30M or so. Oh well all in the past now.
Al Ahli now have a front 3 of Mahrez, Firmino and Saint Maximin. Thats a hell of a forward line. 2-3 years ago any team in the league not named City or Liverpool would have killed for that.
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I saw this morning that BBC Sport twitter were essentially promoting this garbage sports washing league and it reminded me of how the media in general pipe off City every other day. Newcastle soon. The media in this country are complicit in sports washing and it's disgusting. Where is the integrity?
Nothing wrong with following the Saudi league. It's not as if European countries are saints and as if European governments aren't already allies with Saudis.
You registered for posting this?
Expecting either the media or football to have any form of integrity is a bit silly isn't it?
It shouldn't be. Things can and should be better.
Yeah but you could say that about the human race as a whole. We should be better but we allow this stuff because we’re just not that good.
Well Mane was literally voted Ballon D’or 2nd place last year, while Mahrez literally just won Treble with City few months ago playing 47 games for them scoring 15 goals and providing 12 assists. Terrible/average isn't really fair description.
Mane was voted most disappointing outfield player in the Bundesliga 22/23, describing his season as terrible/average is fair.
Al Nassr - Ronaldo
Al Hilal - Neymar
Al-Ittihad - Benzema
Al-Ahli - Mahrez (?) Firmino (?)
As statement signings go, Neymar adds a lot. For the 1st transfer window it's now undeniable this is has eclipsed China's splurge.
Al Hilal - Neymar
Al-Ittihad - Benzema
Al-Ahli - Mahrez (?) Firmino (?)
As statement signings go, Neymar adds a lot. For the 1st transfer window it's now undeniable this is has eclipsed China's splurge.
Did anyone watch the opening games? Any fun at all?
Not the pro league but I watched the final between Nassr & Hilal, frustrating football but fun nonetheless.
from the league, I've seen several extended highlights in YT, they look to be fun but not sure of the quality though.
And the only way/hope to get better is to call it out. Even if it’s prevalent or widespread. Saying “well it happens” or “what more do you expect” is a nothing point that provides exactly that, just enables those who oppose wrongdoings to be worn down.
When Ronaldo went over there I didn’t think they’d be a lot more top players to follow. If you’re over 30 that’s understandable but players under 30 wasting their careers in that league. They’ll never get a move back over here because of the ridiculous wages they’ll be on. Them players will be forgotten about very quickly as there’s no proper way of watching there games.
The wages over there are crazy, its really not a surprise so many heads are being turned. Jordan Henderson is now one of the worlds highest earning football players and 8 of the top 10 earning players are now based over there, its nuts.
I am already convinced that if they continue spending infinite money it will be a matter of time until they get an invite to join UCL or some freaky competition is created so top UEFA clubs can play Saudi Clubs. They have enough money to influence FIFA members and legal entities (actually, legal entities are easier because they accept smaller bribes than FIFA members )
)Maybe they want to be forgotten. Loads and loads of money, and be somewhat forgotten about in a couple of years after earning that insane amount.
They get super rich and less famous at the same time. So they will be left alone after the end of their careers. With a s**tload of money
They get super rich and less famous at the same time. So they will be left alone after the end of their careers. With a s**tload of money
A country with death penalties against teenagers, murdering journalists in embassies and not recognizing Israel in an european competition? I think the public outrage would do more harm to UEFA than any amount of money could compensate.I am already convinced that if they continue spending infinite money it will be a matter of time until they get an invite to join UCL or some freaky competition is created so top UEFA clubs can play Saudi Clubs. They have enough money to influence FIFA members and legal entities (actually, legal entities are easier because they accept smaller bribes than FIFA members
I get a sneaky feeling that the Saudis will float the idea of a Longer format club world cup - similar to what clubs tried with the Super league BS.
Other than the PL, all other leagues seem to be suffering in terms of viewership and outside the likes of Madrid and Bayern, most teams seem to suffering from lack of money too.
Other than the PL, all other leagues seem to be suffering in terms of viewership and outside the likes of Madrid and Bayern, most teams seem to suffering from lack of money too.
The public outrage will be smaller than we think. Look at the Qatar WC: yes, there was outrage but it is quickly forgotten. Just to be clear, in 6 months of 2023 Dubai had already broke their own record of max number of tourists in 1 year.
Qatar increased 72% of tourist arrivals in 2023, and it is expected to pass the 100% growth until the end of the year.
7.8M people already visited Saudi Arabia for non-religious long term vacations, which is an increase above 60%
It's a matter of PR, tbh. With money and good PR campaigns you can build a good image.