Beyond the pitch: Star quality, strategic vision put Saudi Pro League on global stage

Beyond the pitch: Star quality, strategic vision put Saudi Pro League on global stage
Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo kicks the ball during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on May 27, 2024. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
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Updated 22 September 2024
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Beyond the pitch: Star quality, strategic vision put Saudi Pro League on global stage

Beyond the pitch: Star quality, strategic vision put Saudi Pro League on global stage

RIYADH: In recent years, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a major player in the global football arena, and the country’s investment in the Saudi Pro League has become a focal point for discussions around the future of the sport.

With significant financial backing and a strategic vision, the Kingdom is making headlines by attracting some of football’s biggest names, enhancing tourism, expanding international broadcasting, and capturing the attention of global media.

One of the most visible indicators of the SPL’s rising profile is the influx of international football stars. High-profile transfers in recent years have not only enhanced the league’s competitive edge, but also spotlighted its growing prestige.

These marquee signings are more than just players; they are global icons whose presence in the SPL serves as a powerful endorsement of the league’s quality and ambition.

 

Present:

When Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr shortly after the 2022 World Cup, he changed the course of football in the Kingdom forever. He opened the door for some of the world’s finest players who rushed to join him soon afterwards.

After Ronaldo’s era-defining move to the Kingdom, Karim Benzema became the Saudi Pro League’s second high-profile arrival the following year. The SPL set its sights high by signing the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner from arguably the world’s most famous club, Real Madrid.

Popular Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez joined Al-Ahli in a 2023 statement signing, fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble with Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City team.




Riyadh Mahrez. (Twitter)

After a season in Bavaria, Senegalese star Sadio Mane packed his bags for Riyadh to play alongside Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in 2023.

Mane had enjoyed six successful years playing for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool before moving to German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022.

Few foreign players have proven to be as successful in Saudi Arabia as Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic. After joining Al-Hilal from English Premier League club Fulham last summer, he tore up defenses across the Kingdom, scoring 28 goals as Al-Hilal cruised to a record 19th Saudi Pro League championship.




Bafetimbi Gomis of Al Hilal (R) runs with the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup Semi-Final match between CR Flamengo and Al Hilal FC at Khalifa International Stadium on December 17, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

 

Past:

While recent years have seen an influx of high-profile stars, Saudi football has long been home to some outstanding international talent.

A member of the legendary 1970 World Cup-winning Brazil team alongside the likes of Pele, Carlos Alberto and Jairzinho, Roberto Rivelino joined Al-Hilal in 1978. He proceeded to win the Saudi league in his first season and score 26 goals across three campaigns.

Omar Al-Somah is another Arab superstar who made his name in Saudi Arabia. The Syrian forward joined Al-Ahli in 2014 and went on to have a sensational career, scoring 144 goals in 180 matches for the Jeddah giants, claiming the Saudi Pro League title in 2015-16.




Omar Al-Somah

French forward Bafetimbi Gomis joined Al-Hilal from Galatasaray in 2018, just in time to play a major part in one of the club’s greatest eras. In four glorious seasons at the club, he won two Saudi Pro League and two AFC Champions League titles, scoring 116 goals across all competitions. His stellar record propelled him to hero status in Riyadh and beyond.

Brazilian goal poacher Romarinho was beloved by Al-Ittihad fans from the time he joined from the UAE’s Al-Jazira in 2018 until his departure this summer. His goals helped Al-Ittihad end a 14-year drought to win the 2022-2023 SPL title.

Controversial, but never less than enthralling, and deadly in front of the goal, Moroccan forward Abderrazak Hamdallah scored an astonishing 77 goals in 74 matches for Al-Nassr between 2018 and 2021, winning the SPL in 2018-19 and twice claiming the league top scorer award. Like Romarinho, Hamdallah played a major part in bringing the SPL title to Jeddah in 2023.




Hilal's Brazilian forward #10 Neymar stands for the national anthem during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)

Stadiums across Saudi Arabia attract fans from around the world. The enhanced match-day experience, coupled with the opportunity to see global stars in action, has turned major football fixtures into significant tourism events. This surge in visitors is beneficial not only for the hospitality sector, but also for local businesses and the broader economy.

Aside from tourism, the SPL is expanding its broadcasting to new territories and languages for the first time. Previously confined to regional viewership, the league has secured broadcasting deals that span multiple continents. Networks in Europe, Asia, and the Americas are now showing SPL matches, providing a global audience with unprecedented access to Saudi football.

Saudi Arabia’s investment in football is part of a long-term vision. By attracting top talent, boosting tourism, expanding broadcasting reach, and capturing media attention, the SPL is positioning itself as a major player in international football, and a cornerstone of the country’s sports and cultural diplomacy.




Aleksander Mitrovic of Al Hilal looks on prior the Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Damac at Prince Faisal Bin Fahad on August 28, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The influx of international stars and the subsequent growth in tourism are just the beginning. The Kingdom aims to leverage this momentum to drive further investments in infrastructure, grassroots development, and community engagement, with the goal of creating a sustainable football ecosystem that benefits all levels of the sport, and contributes to the country’s broader economic and social objectives.

This spotlight boosts the league’s visibility, and helps to shape global perceptions of Saudi football as a serious and competitive force.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup adds another layer to its footballing ambitions. The country’s significant investments in the SPL and its infrastructure are part of a strategic push to demonstrate its capability to host major international sporting events. Securing the World Cup would not only solidify Saudi Arabia’s status on the global football stage, but also align with its Vision 2030 goals by showcasing its evolving sports infrastructure and organizational prowess.

As the SPL continues to grow, it will be interesting to observe how this investment reshapes global football dynamics. The league’s success in attracting big names and expanding its international footprint could potentially inspire other regions to follow suit, leading to a more diverse and globally interconnected football landscape. 


Waste not, want not: Misk Global Forum touts benefits of recycling to businesses and environment

Waste not, want not: Misk Global Forum touts benefits of recycling to businesses and environment
Updated 20 November 2024
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Waste not, want not: Misk Global Forum touts benefits of recycling to businesses and environment

Waste not, want not: Misk Global Forum touts benefits of recycling to businesses and environment
  • ‘Waste is the gold of the 21st century,’ says founder of pioneering initiative that transforms fish and ocean waste into sustainable textiles
  • Meanwhile, another project has worked with more than 200 farmers to plant 200,000 trees and regenerate 370 acres of land

RIYADH: The world’s economy is shifting towards a state in which sustainability and circularity will no longer be considered optional extras but the baseline for how we operate, experts said at the Misk Global Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During a panel discussion titled “A Circular Revolution,” the participants explored ways in which waste materials can be reused or recycled to help achieve a circular economy that is beneficial to the environment while also generating profits.

“Waste is the gold of the 21st century,” said Moemen Sobh, the Egyptian founder and CEO of Visenleer, described as the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, which transforms fish and ocean waste into sustainable textiles.

Noting that the fashion industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the oil and gas industries, he added: “By 2030, 50 percent of the gas emissions will be because of fashion.” Meanwhile, Egypt has a water deficit of 7 billion cubic meters a year and could run out of the vital resource as soon as 2025, UNICEF warned in 2021.

Sobh said his passion for finding sustainable solutions to these problem stems from his heritage as part of a northern Egyptian family descended from a long line of fishermen. So he decided to launch an initiative that buys fish waste that was being collected in plastic bags and dumped into freshwater sources, and instead use it to produce a more environmentally friendly alternative to animal and faux leather.

Through Visenleer, Sobh created the first sustainable fashion line in the region that uses only ocean waste to create its materials. He said the traditional tanning process for leather generates 90 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the fashion industry, so it was important for him to develop an alternative process that uses only glycerin, water and sunlight.

Electronic waste is another major environmental issue, and Alex Mativo, co-founder and CEO of Duck Analytics, spoke about the ways in which old devices can be transformed into products such as jewelry and fashion accessories.

He said he learned early on in his career that the circular economy means “turning something that is obsolete into something really beautiful.”

Mativo, who has been featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, added that Duck Analytics uses data and artificial intelligence to help make the supply chains of global companies, such as Coca Cola and Red Bull, more efficient.

A circular economy, which is one based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, is beneficial both for businesses and the planet because it helps to reduce waste and generate profit, he said.

Louise Mabulo is the founder of the Cacao Project, an initiative that helps farmers build sustainable, resilient livelihoods through agroforestry, which involves the integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic and social benefits for farmers and communities.

“Food systems account for 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. The Cacao Project has worked with more than 200 farmers to plant almost 200,000 trees and regenerate more than 370 acres of land, she added. And that is not all.

“All of these farmers are being upskilled into businessmen and they are using agricultural waste; they are using cacao pods to make chocolate products and using that to create an income but also create economic benefits for themselves and for their communities, to protect them against storms and to provide better food,” Mabulo said.

As young innovators seek to develop sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, she said that “sometimes looking into the future requires looking back into the past.”

Rather than focusing only on new technologies, Mabulo added, knowledge of many solutions that can help solve the world’s problems already exists within communities.

“The key lies in unlocking them and finding innovative ways to marry ancestral knowledge or the resources we have with science, with facts, being able to communicate it well, and being able to talk to the communities in a language that they understand, and serve that gap.”


MoU signed to establish Saudi-Brazilian Coordination Council in Rio de Janeiro

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira sign the MoU in Rio de Janeiro.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira sign the MoU in Rio de Janeiro.
Updated 19 November 2024
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MoU signed to establish Saudi-Brazilian Coordination Council in Rio de Janeiro

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira sign the MoU in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Kingdom’s foreign minister visited Brazil to attend the G20 Summit that ended on Tuesday
  • Prince Faisal and Vieira reviewed relations between their countries and ways to develop them

RIYADH: A memorandum of understanding to establish the Saudi-Brazilian Coordination Council was signed by the foreign ministers of both countries in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

It is a “continuation of what was agreed upon between the leaderships of the two countries during the visit of the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to the Kingdom on November 30, 2023,” SPA said.

The Kingdom’s foreign minister visited Brazil to attend the G20 Summit that ended on Tuesday.

Prince Faisal and Vieira reviewed relations between their countries and ways to develop them. They also discussed regional and international developments and efforts made in this regard.


Saudi entrepreneurs present expertise at Misk forum in Riyadh

Saudi entrepreneurs present expertise at Misk forum in Riyadh
Updated 19 November 2024
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Saudi entrepreneurs present expertise at Misk forum in Riyadh

Saudi entrepreneurs present expertise at Misk forum in Riyadh
  • Passion alone won’t build a business, says Prepline CEO Essa Behbehani

RIYADH: “If you don’t channel your passion for executing a business, then you simply have a hobby,” Essa Behbehani said at the Misk Global Forum on Tuesday.

The CEO of Prepline, a food and beverage investment and development company, made the statement during the panel discussion “Dream, Do, Dare: The Entrepreneur’s Cookbook,” which discussed core business skills, provided guidance on overcoming common startup challenges, and offered essential advice on scaling enterprises through funding.

"In a business, the most important factors are the product, resistance, and community approval." (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“Passion is one of the main elements you need to build a business on, but it is not the main element,” Behbehani said.

He outlined the four key roles in business success, saying: “You are either an investor, manager, developer, or craftsman. Each one needs the other element to succeed.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The eighth Misk Global Forum, designed to encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas, is showcasing Misk Foundation’s dedication to engaging young minds.

• On Tuesday, Essa Behbehani and Abdullah Al-Saleem discussed core business skills, provided guidance on overcoming common startup challenges, and offered essential advice on scaling enterprises through funding.

Reflecting on the evolution of business fundamentals over two decades, Behbehani noted a significant shift, and added: “Back then, (around) 2003 to 2004, the most important elements in a business were the product, resistance, and community approval.”

"In a business, the most important factors are the product, resistance, and community approval." (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Behbehani noted that at that time, entrepreneurs like himself lacked marketing knowledge and did not have modern tools like social media to promote their businesses.

However, today’s business landscape demands different priorities, and he said: “These skill sets that you have need to be transferred into three main elements: You need to have a mindset, speed, and quality of product.

"In a business, the most important factors are the product, resistance, and community approval." (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“Mindset nowadays is everything — without a mindset, you can never grow a business.”

He cautioned current entrepreneurs about the limitations of focusing solely on product excellence, asking: “What are you going to do with an amazing product without the right mindset and the right speed to execute it?”

"In a business, the most important factors are the product, resistance, and community approval." (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

During the same session, Abdullah Al-Saleem, the CEO and co-founder of Mushtari, a platform for business acquisition, shared valuable insights on when and how entrepreneurs should seek guidance for their ventures.

“Every time is the right time to seek help,” Al-Saleem said, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and consultation in business development.

He advocated for a two-pronged approach to seeking advice, distinguishing between general business consultants and industry-specific experts.

He added: “There are two people you have to seek help from: People that know generally about the industry, and people that know specifically about the industry.”

Using the restaurant business as an example, Al-Saleem described how he would consult general business experts for fundamentals like “hiring, culture, (and) cash flow,” while seeking industry-specific guidance for specialized operations.

However, gathering advice, he said, was just the first step. He noted that it was crucial to ensure team involvement in implementing recommendations.

He said: “When I take all these ideas or all these bits of advice, I brainstorm it with the team.”

This collaborative approach ensured that potential solutions were thoroughly evaluated before implementation, he said.

Al-Saleem further emphasized the importance of practical application through trial and error, and he always involved his team in the process.

He added: “They are the engine of the business and without the team, there is no business.”

 


Saudi Arabia, China, Iran meet to advance Beijing Agreement

Saudi Arabia, China, Iran meet to advance Beijing Agreement
Updated 19 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia, China, Iran meet to advance Beijing Agreement

Saudi Arabia, China, Iran meet to advance Beijing Agreement
  • Efforts focus on regional stability, economic collaboration

RIYADH: The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Elkhereiji chaired the meeting, with Vice Foreign Minister of China Deng Li and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi present.

The Saudi and Iranian representatives reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing the Beijing Agreement and strengthening neighborly relations through adherence to the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, independence, and security.

Saudi Arabia and Iran also welcomed China’s ongoing positive role and emphasized the importance of its support in following up on the Beijing Agreement’s implementation. China reiterated its readiness to encourage further steps by both nations to enhance their relationship in various fields.

The three countries praised the progress in Saudi-Iranian relations, highlighting the significance of direct communication at all levels and the opportunities for mutual cooperation amid regional tensions that threatened global and regional security.

They noted the progress in consular services, enabling over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Hajj and more than 52,000 to perform Umrah securely in 2024.

They also welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies.

Saudi Arabia and Iran expressed their readiness to sign a double taxation avoidance agreement and, along with China, looked forward to expanding economic and political cooperation.

The three nations called for an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Palestine and Lebanon, and condemned violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They stressed the need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Palestine and Lebanon and warned that continued violence posed serious threats to regional and global security, including maritime safety.

They also reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, in line with internationally recognized principles under UN auspices.


Saudi Arabia foreign minister urges a balanced energy transition at G20 Summit session

Saudi Arabia foreign minister urges a balanced energy transition at G20 Summit session
Updated 19 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia foreign minister urges a balanced energy transition at G20 Summit session

Saudi Arabia foreign minister urges a balanced energy transition at G20 Summit session
  • Prince Faisal outlined three pillars for effective energy transition during a discussion at the G20 Summit

RIO DE JANEIRO: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister highlighted the importance of a balanced, inclusive approach to energy transition while ensuring global energy security and sustainable development at a Group of 20 session on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Faisal was leading the Kingdom’s delegation during a session titled “Sustainable Development and Energy Transition,” SPA added.

Energy security represented a global challenge and an obstacle to development and poverty eradication, the minister said, calling for energy plans that considered each country’s circumstances and development needs.

Prince Faisal outlined three pillars for effective energy transition: Ensuring energy security, maintaining access to affordable energy, and achieving environmental sustainability.

He said that the transition required significant investment and time to maintain market stability while ensuring fairness and inclusivity.

Prince Faisal also highlighted the role of technological innovation in managing emissions and environmental impacts.

He said that Saudi Arabia’s investments in innovative technologies had resulted in one of the world’s lowest emissions intensity rates in oil and gas operations, adding that the Kingdom was also advancing its renewable energy goals, aiming for 50 percent of electricity generation from renewables by 2030.

Prince Faisal added that the Kingdom was also expanding its clean hydrogen production and implementing the circular carbon economy framework to repurpose emissions into valuable products.

During his address, the prince also outlined Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global sustainability through its flagship initiatives, the Saudi Green and Middle East Green programs, which are tailored to the country’s development needs.

He called for enhanced international cooperation to ensure energy transitions were equitable, inclusive and supportive of global development goals.

Prince Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for Brazil’s leadership of the G20 in 2024 and extended well wishes to South Africa as it assumes the presidency in 2025, SPA reported.