- Title: From Benzema to Ronaldo, Saudi fans anticipate an elevated soccer season
- Date: 7th August 2023
- Summary: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (AUGUST 7, 2023) (REUTERS VIA ZOOM) (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF OF LEAGUE OPERATIONS OF SAUDI PRO LEAGUE, CARLO NOHRA, SAYING: "This is, this definitely a journey. This is not just a one weekend. We've set off to achieve this objective to be one of the top ten leagues in the world. So we do have a mission, and that is to kind of unleash the potential that we have to drive change, right by delivering functional excellence."
- Embargoed: 21st August 2023 17:29
- Keywords: Al Hilal Al Ittihad Al Nassr FANS FBL Saudi Arabia
- Location: RIYADH, JEDDAH, TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA
- City: RIYADH, JEDDAH, TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Middle East,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA005288807082023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Excitement is building in Saudi Arabia ahead of the start of the new soccer season which will see a host of big players make their debuts in the Pro League.
The European exodus began last year when Al-Nassr completed the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo soon after the World Cup in Qatar, making the Portugal forward the highest-paid athlete in the world.
Saudi Arabian clubs have continued to flex their financial might in recent weeks by luring some of the best players from European clubs with lucrative contracts, including reigning Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and 2018 World Cup champion N'Golo Kante, while Liverpool great Steven Gerrard has joined Al-Ettifaq as head coach.
The season kicks off on Friday (August 11), when Al-Ahli, who have signed former Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez and ex-Liverpool striker Robert Firmino amongst others, host Al-Hazem.
(Production: (Ahmed Yosri, Abdelhadi Ramahi, Abir Al Ahmar, Andy Ragg) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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