Saudi FA in talks with UEFA to allow Saudi Pro League clubs in Champions League - Reports
The Saudi Football Association have reportedly been in talks with UEFA regarding the possibility of a Saudi Pro League club participating in the 2025 UEFA Champions League.
Italian outlet Calcio e Finanza (via FootballTalkHQ) reports that the Saudi FA have held conversations with UEFA in a bid to boost Saudi football's prominence. The Saudi Pro League has made waves this summer amid the arrival of household European names.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) and Neymar (Al Hilal) have all headed to the Middle East this year. Other names include Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves, N'Golo Kante, Marcelo Brozovic and Roberto Firmino.
The cash on offer in Saudi have lured plenty of Europe's high-profile players out of the grasp of Champions League football. However, it may not be long before those stars are back among Europe's elite if the talks come to a successful agreement.
It remains to be seen how the Saudi FA would select the clubs to participate in the 2025 Champions League. However, you would assume that it would be the club that finishes atop the Saudi Pro League.
Hence, with such high stakes on the line, it would only improve the motivation among players to win the Saudi league. However, fans' reactions to the reports have been negative due to the non-European aspect of the proposal.
Cristiano Ronaldo well and truly had the red carpet rolled out for him when he was unveiled by Al Nassr in December last year. The Portuguese icon left Europe for the first time to sign for Al-Alami.
The 38-year-old vowed that his European story was done, during his welcome ceremony. He stressed that further last month (via Sports Illustrated):
Ronaldo insisted that he wouldn't make a return to European football:
However, the
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