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From Benzema to Kante: The Saudi Pro League’s most high-profile foreign recruits


Since the start of the year, the Saudi Pro League has made international headlines for recruiting some of the world’s best players to its clubs.

In an effort to transform the league and position it as one of the top 10 globally, Saudi Arabia has signed dozens of renowned footballers, ranging from Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo to Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, as part of its new strategy.

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“This strategy has been years in the making and has involved a lot of global footballing expertise to make the most of this unprecedented opportunity for growth,” the league’s interim CEO Saad al-Lazeez had said in a statement last month.

Here are some of the Saudi Pro League’s most high-profile international recruits:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

The 38-year-old player was the first footballer to join a Saudi football club when he signed with Al Nassr in December after leaving Manchester United. The sports icon has since encouraged more international players to move to Saudi Arabia, saying he paved the way for them to join.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating after scoring for Al Nassr. (Twitter)

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating after scoring for Al Nassr. (Twitter)

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly has a contract with Al Nassr worth more than $214 million.

2. Karim Benzema

The current Ballon d’Or winner signed a three-year contract with Al Ittihad in June, leaving Real Madrid after 14 long years.

During his time at the Spanish club, the Frenchman brought an incredible 24 trophies including four La Liga, three Copa del Rey and five UEFA Champions League titles.

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against CS Sfaxien. (Twitter)

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against CS Sfaxien. (Twitter)

The 35-year-old will reportedly earn $107 million per year.

3. N’golo Kante

Al Ittihad announced in June that the popular midfielder would be joining the club after he accepted an offer. After seven years at Chelsea FC, the 32-year-old signed a three-year deal with the club as a free agent for a reported $109.78 million per year.

N'Golo Kante holds his Al Ittihad team jersey. (Twitter)

N'Golo Kante holds his Al Ittihad team jersey. (Twitter)

4. Edouard Mendy

The high-profile player also left Chelsea FC to join the Saudi club Al Ahli. The 31-year-old won the Champions League in 2020-21 and was named as the best goalkeeper in the world by FIFA in 2021.

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy signs with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, June 28, 2023. (Twitter: Al-Ahli Saudi Club)

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy signs with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, June 28, 2023. (Twitter: Al-Ahli Saudi Club)

5. Ruben Neves

Portuguese footballer made the decision to move from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers to Al Hilal in June after signing a three-year contract with a transfer fee of $60 million.

To Riyadh.. Where #AlHilal is..
Rúben Neves is coming 💙#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/eJTQxjqwVd

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) June 23, 2023

6. Kalidou Koulibaly

The Senegal captain left Chelsea after only one season to join Saudi club Al Hilal for an undisclosed fee.

📌 #MD
⚽️ #AlHilal_AlSadd #KingSalmanClubCup
💪🏿 #KK pic.twitter.com/gUUd3wZpoS

— Koulibaly Kalidou (@kkoulibaly26) July 30, 2023

Koulibaly scored two goals in 32 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea after joining them from Napoli last July.

7. Robert Firmino

The 31-year-old Brazil international signed with Al Ahli after his contract with Liverpool expired after eight years. As the highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history, Firmino was a fan favorite. He has scored 111 goals in 362 appearances.

📷 | Bobby is here! 🫡 🇧🇷 🪄#WelcomeFirmino pic.twitter.com/b9uAU3cDas

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) July 4, 2023

8. Jordan Henderson

England midfielder Jordan Henderson joined Saudi Al Ettifaq from Liverpool in July for about $15.55 million plus add-ons, who is set to end his 12-year stay at Anfield.

A leader 💪🏻 A warrior ⚔️
We’re simply thrilled to have him ❤️💚
Henderson is ETTIFAQI 🟢✨#HendersonEttifaqi pic.twitter.com/GIj8kggxtn

— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) July 27, 2023

Read more:

Saudi Pro League interim CEO reveals Kingdom’s transformative football strategy

Liverpool’s midfielder Jordan Henderson joins Saudi club Al Ettifaq

Brazilian Striker Firmino joins Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli after leaving Liverpool

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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