Typical oil money, they get The Undertaker whilst we get the grim reaper.
Saudi League thread
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Even Kane didn't want to come here!
They should get The Shockmaster to do the same for the League cup final.
Ronaldo 0 trophies. Great career in SA.
He thas won one though
As childhood WWF fans, that was epic
The saudi equivalent of club world cup?
Al-Hilal fan attacking a player with his belt
Why has the Saudi gent wearing a Thobe got a belt anyway??
Be very interesting to see the reaction now. Ronaldo's contract is up, like him or loathe him he was the face of the league trying to build.
They have definitely taken more 'good' players than many thought they would, though I am not sure they have lured the calibre of big names as they hoped (Mbappe turning them down in public). Will it now slowly die, or will they keep spending?
Will there be an exodus of players? If so will we be in for Duran, Veiga, maybe Diaby?
They have definitely taken more 'good' players than many thought they would, though I am not sure they have lured the calibre of big names as they hoped (Mbappe turning them down in public). Will it now slowly die, or will they keep spending?
Will there be an exodus of players? If so will we be in for Duran, Veiga, maybe Diaby?
He’ll probably just sign with Al Hilal
If Ronaldo leaves the league, the league goes back to total irrelevance; the powers that be know this, so they'll give him another bag to go to one of the other SA clubs.
It'd be kinda funny (and sad) if Bruno signs there and then Ronaldo leaves the league.
It'd be kinda funny (and sad) if Bruno signs there and then Ronaldo leaves the league.
Veiga is off to Porto
League will definitely not die with Ronaldo. I mean, the league will not die as long as they are willing to spend. There will always be plenty of top players wanting to join. They are not joining because of Ronaldo, but because of money they can't earn anywhere else.
On the other hand, what does death of Saudi league even mean? It held no significance to me or anyone I know even with Ronaldo and everyone else there. I don't know a single person who watched a single game, before or after Ronaldo joined. So, basing my opinion on that, I'd say league is too irrelevant, regardless of what signings they make, to even have the chance to die. And yes, annecdotal evidence is not the best way to build your case, but I am pretty sure it is correct in this instance. Nobody started watching this.
On the other hand, what does death of Saudi league even mean? It held no significance to me or anyone I know even with Ronaldo and everyone else there. I don't know a single person who watched a single game, before or after Ronaldo joined. So, basing my opinion on that, I'd say league is too irrelevant, regardless of what signings they make, to even have the chance to die. And yes, annecdotal evidence is not the best way to build your case, but I am pretty sure it is correct in this instance. Nobody started watching this.
Is he, good to know. He was awesome in la liga. one I thought we should have got. Those are the guys who validate the league more than the old names in my opinion.
Probably a very sensible move if he still harbours ambitions of playing at the top level in Europe. Easy league to stand out in, European football, and he can probably just live in Galicia again if he wants.
Very big win for Al Hilal for the league’s reputation. I remember some people saying the league wouldn’t be in the top 30 in Europe or something along those lines, but money talks in the end. They’ve put it up to the best European teams.
Absolutely. The top Saudi teams are getting quite strong and the league is not as weak as a lot of people want you to believe.
So the same could be said for the Brazilian league right??
The leagues weak, it's poor quality and bar a few teams with a handful of decent players it's a very poor standard throughout.
The leagues weak, it's poor quality and bar a few teams with a handful of decent players it's a very poor standard throughout.
Yes, the league is weak but the strong teams are actually decent compared to the likes of MLS or the Chinese league etc it’s not what it was made out to be.
Brasilian league has been around since forever though, Saudi's push basically happened when Ronaldo went there. People really struggle with it but the plan is working - by design they basically self sponsor a select small group of teams and get them to a good enough level. Let's be honest, many clubs are likely were treating the CWC like a pre season with a big money prize (I haven't watched any of it maybe I am wrong and they are at 100% intensity) but the fact is Al-Hilal knocked out City, and drew with RBL and Real.
I see this very much as a LIV golf play, they are not allowed into the CL so they (Saudi) sponsor this tournament through FIFA (I mean, how is no one asking why this is more lucrative than the CL?) which itself wants more power over the big European clubs. Eventually, the tournament either becomes legit or they cause enough of a problem to the domestic season scheduling/where clubs focus that they get what they want, which is CL expansion to allow for Saudi teams to enter.
Al Hilal definitely a strong team, but they are the best of a mediocre rest.
How do you know? Watched enough of Al-Taawoun and Damac to know they're shite?
Al Hilal didn't even win the title this year.
This could be a bit dangerous if they get to the Semis or Final. If they do, they will have evidence to sell to players that not only will they earn mega money but the level is Saudi is still decent.
I’ve watched enough to form an opinion. It’s up to you whether you want to like it or not.
Money talks, the time difference in leagues is negated by the amount of money Saudis have thrown at it.
The simple fact is they have one team who have beat one European powerhouse, in a competition the Europeans aren't really serious about, complacency crept into the European teams and frankly no fan really cares, and I doubt the players are too bothered by not playing yet another game in sweltering heat.
It means nothing to the strength of the league at all, it's still weak and poor throughout with poor attendances and viewing figures.worldwide...
I think teams are taking it serious for the prize which would benefit clubs. They are trying but the heat will play a major role for those not used to it the climate. The players are trying as it’s their reputation, it’s a pretty weak excuse when a big club loses to try and brush it off.
The point is the league is not how weak with the way it was made out to be. Is it a good standard? Probably average but not the likes of MLS and co. Toney Ivan’s made a comment he was expecting to walk through it but found it difficult.
They have a few decent sides, the 4 that are funded by the public investment fund. Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. The rest not so much.
On Ivan Toney, he did just finish his first season there with his best goals per game ratio of his career, slightly outdoing his record from he was on the English third tier. It may be harder than he thought it would be in his mind but actually it hasn't been too difficult for him.
On Ivan Toney, he did just finish his first season there with his best goals per game ratio of his career, slightly outdoing his record from he was on the English third tier. It may be harder than he thought it would be in his mind but actually it hasn't been too difficult for him.
I don't get what you mean by this sentence. As you you're choosing to discount it's growth because you deem the money spent on it stupid or something?
No, I'm saying the time between the start of the Brazilian league compared to that of the Saudi league is irrelevant due to the acceleration that the money has brought to the league.
Nothing can change the fact that the league is a poor league, with poor teams. One result over an aging tiring Man City doesn't change that.
The managers/owners perhaps, but the players have repeatedly complained about everything the competition has to offer, weather, pitches, lack of fans, having to play extra meaningless games.
Whereas the Brazilian teams and the Saudi team are taking this seriously, they immediately have an edge over the European teams that really don't want to be there, they are quite happy taking the coin and letting their players rest.
Could be, not discounting it but I think the weather plays a huge part for some. The blazing heat plays a major role for those who are not used to playing in it.
For some part of it, players might not be confident because the above factor and using excuses. Could be many factors but PSG smashed Inter Miami in the first half and took it easy second half. It’s easier to spot when teams aren’t trying.
I don't really get the relevance of the comment - you compared the leagues saying there's a couple of ok teams and the rest aren't, it doesn't matter how they got there. Ronaldo went there about 3 season ago, in that space of time they've leapfrogged the majority of established leagues by pouring money into it.
Most leagues around the world are pretty dross if you take in all 20 teams, including many European leagues, simply because money is really what dictates how good a team can be. Sure, you have some countries without a great league but that will produce many good footballers, like France, or the odd amazing coach who gets smaller teams punching above their weight but the reality is most top leagues have 2-3 really elite teams max, then a big fall off in quality. This is why the PL has become 'better' because the mid table teams are minted and can sign players from basically everywhere and don't have to lose their best player either because we distribute money fairly. Most leagues either prop up a select few clubs (the model Saudi are following) or simply don't have enough money to create top teams.
What I saw of Al Hilal last night they've clearly built quite a good side. Denying that is idiocy.
Bonou is a top class keepers has been for years. Cancelo and Lodi but left Europe whilst still at a high level if not their peaks. Koulibaly despite being 34 is still very good. Their midfield is a match for most in Europe with Neves and Milinkovic Savic in there. And they don't have worldclass attackers but Malcolm and Mitrovic are both quality plus the lad that played up top last night.
They'd be sniffing around top 5 or 6 /cl places in the premier league.
Bonou is a top class keepers has been for years. Cancelo and Lodi but left Europe whilst still at a high level if not their peaks. Koulibaly despite being 34 is still very good. Their midfield is a match for most in Europe with Neves and Milinkovic Savic in there. And they don't have worldclass attackers but Malcolm and Mitrovic are both quality plus the lad that played up top last night.
They'd be sniffing around top 5 or 6 /cl places in the premier league.
They sound more like a team that could give anyone a good game on their day but with mentalities of guys having retired from the game early and more akin to that QPR team of a few years ago than a proper top half team.
I mean not really, you only need to watch them. I'd think 7 or 8 of their starting XI over most prem teams honestly. Sure people can complain they're mercenaries or whatever but whether people like it or not for example. Man for man probably 3 United players get in their team.
That is exaggerated. I’d take Bonou, Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves. Maybe I’d want some other guys for the bench (Cancelo, Koulibaly, Mitrovic and Malcolm// No idea about Leonardo, not seen enough of him), but this is the same I’d say about most teams from top 10 of the top leagues (make that top 15 for the PL)… Many would have players that would improve us.
Got the feeling that Inzaghi is getting the maximum from that team for this tournament because it is easier to motivate them for games vs Real and City. Not necessarily a level they’re capable of maintaining over a season.
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Cancelo would easily start for us, he was playing for Barca a year ago, and still Hojlund is first choice until we sign someone so Leonardo and Mitrovic would easily start over them.