Gabri Veiga

[Cochise]

How long until they buy a spot in the Champions League I wonder?

 

[KILLA_SIN]

How long until they buy a spot in the Champions League I wonder?

Not long

 

[Kirito]

It's crucial to distinguish between the government, its interpretation of religion, and the lived experience of individuals—whether they are locals or foreigners. While it's true that Wahhabism influences Saudi Arabian laws and norms, it's a bit reductionist to assume that everyone in the country, including the ruling class, strictly adheres to it. Evidence suggests that ruling class members often separate their public persona from their private behaviour.

Foreign footballers who move to Saudi Arabia are often isolated from many of the cultural and legal restrictions you mention. They typically live in compounds designed for foreigners, with a lifestyle that's far removed from the day-to-day life of an average Saudi citizen. These players can also travel freely within the region, mitigating some of the cultural and social constraints you're concerned about.

However, I share your concerns about the ethical implications of working in a country with a human rights record that many find troubling. While the decision is complex and nuanced for the individual player, it's legitimate to scrutinise the bigger picture of what their move might mean in a cultural or ethical context.

Yeah I totally understand that it won’t be the entire population but I just can’t fathom why someone would choose to live in a country where the government still holds such values. I’d rather earn minimum wage in a progressive country than be a millionaire somewhere like Saudi.

It will be interesting to see how the next year unfolds, what stories come out, any players trying to leave etc

 

[HildoSpur]

Yeah I totally understand that it won’t be the entire population but I just can’t fathom why someone would choose to live in a country where the government still holds such values. I’d rather earn minimum wage in a progressive country than be a millionaire somewhere like Saudi.

It will be interesting to see how the next year unfolds, what stories come out, any players trying to leave etc

I'd jump at the chance of making that sort of cash and I wouldn't give it a single thought. Go there, make bank, come home and live the rest of your life in relative comfort. Sounds good to me.

 

[Timberwolf]

The Saudi league will grow. They are appealing to the young internet fans who support individual players, base all their views on YouTube highlight packages, and argue about the ability of a player based purely on stats.

All the players the Saudi league are recruiting are players that are loved on football twitter etc… it will be a football league for the new age football fan.

Yeah completely agree. For the international or FIFA-obsessed young football fan that cares more about individual players than teams or football culture they'll happily switch to the Saudi league without too much thought.

They're clearly going all in on the recruitment and no-one can compete with them in that area so I think it will live or die by the lifestyle and overall product.

Was listening to a podcast the other day and apparently the games are all played in obscene heat and the attendances are largely pretty pathetic (half full 30k stadium for Jordan Henderson's debut at 35+ degrees).

The real test will be in a year or two when the novelty wears off for the first wave of players that have gone there. Do they all start coming back to Europe after 1 or 2 seasons of tax-free millions? Do they complain about the conditions, lack of fan culture and lifestyle? Or do they re-sign and just ride the Saudi money train for the remainder of their careers?

Right now we're only seeing the appeal of the money, but it's hard to sustain a league or generate long term excitement if players are only willing to sign short-term deals and/or start complaining about the league and leaving Saudi clubs at the first opportunity.

 

[E17yid]

It's a massive difference mate. They also pay no personal tax there. He will earn close to what he would have earned in his entire career in Europe in about 3 years (roughly - possibly less). If he then stays there for 5-10 years then he will be leaving with potentially 50- 100 million on top of that.

I’m not really contesting the difference I’m just saying it’s a bit greedy when decade or so of premier league football can earn you a tidy sum.

Anyway my bad for going off on this. I know nothing about this guy so can’t say I’m bothered we’re missing out on him (if we were ever in for him in the first place)

 

[SuperLuka]

Until they pack it in when they get what they are after, which is to host a World Cup. I imagine Saudi leadership is still smarting over Qatar hosting the first World Cup in the Middle East.

I thinks it's more than that. They want to control football in the same way they now control golf.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

I'd jump at the chance of making that sort of cash and I wouldn't give it a single thought. Go there, make bank, come home and live the rest of your life in relative comfort. Sounds good to me.

Yeah hoping someone makes me an offer

 

[StanSpur]

That's a load of twaddle. They broke the record for the most executions in 2022.

"In 2022, the kingdom executed 196 people, the highest number of annual executions that Amnesty International has recorded in the country in the last 30 years. This number is three times higher than the number of executions carried out in 2021 and at least seven times higher than 2020."

Saudi Arabia: Imminent execution of seven young men would violate kingdom’s promise to abolish death penalty for juveniles

Despite the Saudi authorities’ commitment to end their use of the death penalty against children under 18 at the time of the crime, seven young men are at risk of imminent execution after an appeals court confirmed their punishment, Amnesty International said today. Their execution would mark a...

www.amnesty.org

That is just one metric though (a very important one but one alone - the USA still executes people too amongst many countries)

 

[Trix]

How long until they buy a spot in the Champions League I wonder?

If they do they'll have to fall under Uefa's FFP regulations and that's nigh on impossible.

 

[mil1lion]

Pretty sure there will be some sort of super league or club world cup the Saudi clubs will compete with Europe in outside of the Champions League

 

[yido_number1]

In Belfast here, at the weekend I seen a couple of kids wearing Ronaldo Al Nassr kits, this is the start of it...

Loads are wearing them here it's just the Ronaldo factor. Who's gonna buy a Mane shirt when Ronaldo leaves Saudi?

Seen way more pink and black Messi kits recently

 

[Timberwolf]

Damn @jay2040 is reaaaaaally eager to keep the chat focused on Gabri Veiga...

 

[ButchCassidy]

If they do they'll have to fall under Uefa's FFP regulations and that's nigh on impossible.

Would they? Or would UEFA negotiate with them, because as the Super League showed half of the best teams in UEFA would dump them at the drop of a hat, and the Saudis instead throwing their weight behind Super League 2.0 terrifies them?

PSG, Newcastle, City showed there are ways around FFP. As long as they didn’t include this window in the calculations they will probably be fine.

 

[Snuzzy]

If they do they'll have to fall under Uefa's FFP regulations and that's nigh on impossible.

"...but George found a loophole in the Mexican justice system"

 

[Trix]

Would they? Or would UEFA negotiate with them, because as the Super League showed half of the best teams in UEFA would dump them at the drop of a hat, and the Saudis instead throwing their weight behind Super League 2.0 terrifies them?

PSG, Newcastle, City showed there are ways around FFP. As long as they didn’t include this window in the calculations they will probably be fine.

Do you think the likes of Madrid, Barca, Bayern and Juve would accept that? I'm positive they won't.

They also wouldn't enter into a super league with Saudi clubs without some sort of strict FFP because they know they'd be easily outspent for every top player that became available.

 

[fatpiranha]

If they do they'll have to fall under Uefa's FFP regulations and that's nigh on impossible.

True; but before you say "impossible" have a look in this brown envelope .

 

[Chris Flynn]

They could be the first forum that pays the members a donation. Their A&C equivalent will post a donation drive asking members to come in and claim their money. This site relies on your collections. Please come and post your love for Al Ahli like a true fan. We have no history so please bring some with you. It's like this site but people are moaning they're spending too much and getting deals done too quickly. Why did we spend this much on Veiga and not haggle? Khalid out!

To spend so little on Veiga brings great shame to our illustrious club in the eyes of the world, surely our honor is worth more. Khalid out!

 

[ButchCassidy]

Do you think the likes of Madrid, Barca, Bayern and Juve would accept that? I'm positive they won't.

They also wouldn't enter into a super league with Saudi clubs without some sort of strict FFP because they know they'd be easily outspent for every top player that became available.

Again, it’s all negotiable. The Saudis aren’t going to spend like this every window, that’s why they’re buying players for the future like Veiga. Once the teams are at the level of quality they want they’ll attempt to be semi-sustainable, the way City have spent less since they became a top side. So there’s definitely a version of FFP they would be fine with.

And yeah, I think those clubs would hop on board with a new SL in a second when they saw how much more money and control they would get. And the Saudis will happily compromise with them too, because having a Real Madrid in their league buys them far more sportswashing legitimacy than winning a league without the top teams.

 

[mil1lion]

It's a difficult one to turn down I'm sure. A football career is not that long so an opportunity to earn for life over a 5 year contract must be very tempting. You look at what happened to the likes of Mason having his career cut short. Eriksen is lucky to be playing again. Some of these younger players could go there for a few years and earn a fortune. Then come back for their peak years at a top European club. Its going to be interesting to see how much it impacts national selection for some of these players though. I'm not sure how many national coaches are going out there to track them.