Saudi Arabia is prepared to launch a major assault on football globally, an initiative that is expected to increase the development of the Saudi Pro League.
This move is intended to be an enabler that will ensure massive talents troop into the division.
Financially backed teams will be able to increase the number of foreign players allowed in the Pro League from 8 to 10 in the summer of 2024.
Reports indicate that this program is part of a strategy that will see government-sponsored teams poach excellent players at academies in Europe, South America, Africa, and beyond.
This initiative will come into effect in the 2024/25 season, with the move expected to be a game-changing one.
The Saudi Pro League has spent massive cash on acquiring some of the world's biggest footballers, including; Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Sadio Mane to mention a few.
However, there is a new strategy on board that administrators of the Saudi Pro League feel is going to be groundbreaking.
The conveyor belt for top clubs globally has always been their academy and if prime talents are taken from several academies, this could weaken other teams in the future while bringing the Pro League to reckoning and dominance.
It will be interesting to see if this move will be welcomed by FIFA, although it isn't a direct ploy at weakening teams but a futuristic plan that still has the feeling of being a gamble that could turn out good or otherwise.
The move is a gamble as some academy talents never turn out magnificent like they were during their days in the academy.
There are several examples of players that were excellent in their youth days but they couldn't step up to the plate and as such experienced a decline in their careers.
The Saudi Pro League has grown in leaps and bounds, with several players even wanting to ply their trade in the country.
Virtually every club in the Saudi Arabian top-flight division have a star name playing for them and this can be attributed to the commendable efforts put into the league.
Meanwhile, there are still reports of top players being linked to the country, including Lucas Digne, Casemiro, and Luka Modric to name a few.
The Saudi Pro League is currently on a mid-season break and action will commence on Wednesday, February 15, 2024.
There have been reports of there being a proposal for clubs in the Saudi Pro League to participate in the UEFA Champions League, however, those speculations were squashed.
Anyway, Al Hilal currently sits at the summit of the Saudi Pro League, with 53 points from 19 league matches.
Al Nassr sits 2nd on the log with 46 points, while Al Ahli occupy the 3rd spot on the table with 40 points.
This move is intended to be an enabler that will ensure massive talents troop into the division.
Financially backed teams will be able to increase the number of foreign players allowed in the Pro League from 8 to 10 in the summer of 2024.
Reports indicate that this program is part of a strategy that will see government-sponsored teams poach excellent players at academies in Europe, South America, Africa, and beyond.
This initiative will come into effect in the 2024/25 season, with the move expected to be a game-changing one.
The Saudi Pro League has spent massive cash on acquiring some of the world's biggest footballers, including; Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Sadio Mane to mention a few.
However, there is a new strategy on board that administrators of the Saudi Pro League feel is going to be groundbreaking.
The conveyor belt for top clubs globally has always been their academy and if prime talents are taken from several academies, this could weaken other teams in the future while bringing the Pro League to reckoning and dominance.
It will be interesting to see if this move will be welcomed by FIFA, although it isn't a direct ploy at weakening teams but a futuristic plan that still has the feeling of being a gamble that could turn out good or otherwise.
The move is a gamble as some academy talents never turn out magnificent like they were during their days in the academy.
There are several examples of players that were excellent in their youth days but they couldn't step up to the plate and as such experienced a decline in their careers.
The Saudi Pro League has grown in leaps and bounds, with several players even wanting to ply their trade in the country.
Virtually every club in the Saudi Arabian top-flight division have a star name playing for them and this can be attributed to the commendable efforts put into the league.
Meanwhile, there are still reports of top players being linked to the country, including Lucas Digne, Casemiro, and Luka Modric to name a few.
The Saudi Pro League is currently on a mid-season break and action will commence on Wednesday, February 15, 2024.
There have been reports of there being a proposal for clubs in the Saudi Pro League to participate in the UEFA Champions League, however, those speculations were squashed.
Anyway, Al Hilal currently sits at the summit of the Saudi Pro League, with 53 points from 19 league matches.
Al Nassr sits 2nd on the log with 46 points, while Al Ahli occupy the 3rd spot on the table with 40 points.