Barcelona President Joan Laporta has dismissed the idea that players are choosing to move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) for sporting reasons. In an interview with CNN Sport, Laporta stated that there are "no sporting reasons" for a player to make such a move and that other factors, such as financial incentives, are likely the primary motivations.
Laporta highlighted that players generally prefer to join Barcelona due to the club's management, history, and the caliber of players who have been associated with it. He emphasized that when a player chooses Saudi Arabia over Barcelona, it is likely due to other priorities and not because of the sport itself.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been investing heavily in sports, including soccer, in recent years. The PIF, with over $650 billion in assets under management, aims to be a major player in global soccer. Last week, one of the Saudi clubs owned by the PIF, Al-Hilal, made a record-breaking bid for PSG striker Kylian Mbappé.
While Mbappé reportedly declined the offer, other notable players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Roberto Firmino have all accepted contracts to play in the SPL. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, participated in the league last season, signing a lucrative two-year deal with Al-Nassr.
Laporta argued that soccer is a team sport, and the focus should be on the team rather than individual players. While he respected the decisions made by the Saudi government to bring in talented players, he emphasized that the overall team performance should take precedence over individual star power.
However, Laporta also suggested that clubs like Barcelona could assist Saudi teams in improving their football quality. He proposed establishing associations and sharing know-how to enhance the level of play in the SPL. These collaborations could involve football academies and direct partnerships to enhance the footballing skills of the Saudi teams.
Regarding Barcelona's own priorities, Laporta stated that the Spanish league remains the primary focus. While they aspire to perform better in the Champions League, winning the league title is their top goal. Last season, Barcelona clinched their first La Liga title since 2019, underlining the importance of their domestic achievements.
Laporta also touched on the coaching influence of Xavi, who represents the continuation of the philosophies of former Barcelona coaches Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff. These coaches share the same footballing philosophy and have contributed to the development of the distinctive playing style associated with Barcelona.
Regarding Lionel Messi, Laporta expressed his admiration for the player. Despite Messi's departure to Inter Miami, Laporta wished him and his family the best in their new venture. He described Messi as not only the best player in the world but also a remarkable person who has left an indelible mark on Barcelona's history.
In conclusion, Laporta's comments highlight the absence of strong sporting motivations for players choosing to move to the Saudi Pro League. While the financial incentives may be appealing, Laporta emphasized the importance of team performance and suggested that established clubs like Barcelona could assist Saudi teams in enhancing their footballing standards.