A single Brazilian member of the crew believed they were in for a tremendous treat.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on May 19, 2024 (Image: James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
Last year, an Al-Adalah player experienced a rollercoaster of emotions upon learning that his team had signed Mohamed Salah, only to discover that it was actually the namesake of the Liverpool winger rather than the player.
In 2023, a multitude of talented football players arrived to the Saudi Pro League. Shortly after the 2022 World Cup ended, Cristiano Ronaldo completed his move to Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, Ruben Neves of Wolves, Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly of Chelsea, all completed their moves to the Middle East in the early summer.
Following were a number of Liverpool players: Sadio Mane joined Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, while Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson relocated to Saudi Arabia.
Even though Salah signed a three-year contract extension with Anfield in 2022, Saudi Arabia made a massive bid of about £150 million on the eve of the 2023–2024 season for him. An offer that Liverpool promptly rejected.
But when Edson, a Brazilian defensive midfielder for Al-Adalah, saw that his employers had signed on June 24, 2023, he thought his team had signed the Egyptian King himself. Speaking to ESPN in his native nation, he described how at first he even rejoiced at the news.
In regards to Salah, I believed it belonged to Liverpool, he stated. I was hoping that was it, but it turned out not to be. Every year, Arab football expands tremendously, so it wouldn’t be extraordinary if Salah made the move.”
Actually, the player in question was a Saudi Arabian left back. In the next season, he only made three appearances for the team.
During his interview, Edson also discussed the league’s increasing financial clout, although he did so in a good light.
“Arab football is receiving a lot of funding, and the goal is to build a stronger league each year. I’m glad to be a part of this amazing time that football is going through.
“They have consistently made investments. The Saudi Federation, the league, and the presidents. However, the purchasing power has been rising annually and has recently risen even further. For a nation that loves football, this is beneficial.
“It’s a nation where there is still much room for growth.” The best players will inevitably make everyone else want to go there as well. When one goes, the other desires to follow suit. It gives me great pleasure to represent the club at this crucial juncture.
“They intend to change Saudi Arabia in the same way that they did Dubai by 2030. They are making significant investments in city planning in an effort to draw tourists. The Saudi Championship will undoubtedly rank in the top six or seven in the globe. Given how quickly it is expanding each year, I have no doubts about that.”
