The Saudi Pro League is slowly becoming one of the most popular and trending soccer leagues to keep up with in the world and it’s no secret that this is all at the hands of former Europe’s elite players making a move to the Al-Akhdar league in 2023.
This summer’s transfer window has been one filled with surprising moves across Europe, and most notably, to Saudi Arabia. Players the likes of current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Brazilian national team captain Neymar Jr., current African Cup of Nations champion Sadio Mané and more have made the bold move to play in the Saudi Pro League this year.
Now, in what seems like an almost never-ending list of world-renowned players linked and confirmed to play in the Roshn Saudi League, the amount of stars bound to compete in the league for 2023-24 season has made the list of their most valuable players one not many leagues can go toe-to-toe with.
Which team from the Saudi pro league has the best front 3 ? pic.twitter.com/yA3rQSxv04
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) August 16, 2023
In light of this and the many top transfers to Saudi Arabia this summer, we give you the top 10 most valuable players playing in the RSL in the upcoming season. Millions galore.
Top 10 most valuable players in Saudi Arabia
10. Aleksandar Mitrovic (€28.00m) - Al-Hilal
Mitro is going Saudi. The striker is one of the latest European stars to make the move to the RSL and after becoming the main man at Fulham in the journey back into the Premier League, the 28-year-old has decided to join none other than Al-Hilal. In his five years with the Cottagers, the Serbian played 206 games, scoring 111 goals and providing 22 assists along the way. However, after a fantastic 2022-23 Premier League season where he managed to score 14 goals in 24 league games, the striker became of the interest of the big checks in Asia and will now be sharing the pitch with other stars on this list.
9. Roger Ibañez (€30.00m) - Al-Ahli
One of Brazil’s most promising defenders made the move to the RSL. 24-year-old center back Roger Ibañez was having a fantastic start to his career in Serie A with Jose Mourinho’s Roma. After obtaining the club’s first ever European trophy in the UEFA Conference League back in 2022 and reaching the Europa League final in 2023, Ibañez’s career pointed for a move to another European giant. Opposite to what it might’ve pointed, Ibañez accepted a move to Saudi giant Al-Ahli for a transfer fee of €30 million.
8. Malcom (€30.00m) - Al-Hilal
The talented Brazilian is ready to begin another exotic chapter in his career. After transferring to FC Barcelona in 2018, but failing to become a regular in the club’s starting eleven, Malcom has continued his career outside the top five leagues but inside some hefty contracts. At Zenit, the winger scored 42 goals and had 24 assists in just 109 games, becoming one of the best players in the Russian Premier League. This ultimately earned him the chance to make a move to the RSL and being in charge of the Al-Hilal attack with his compatriot and No. 1 most valuable player on this list.
7. Seko Fofana (€32.00m) - Al-Nassr
The multifunctional center midfielder said goodbye to France and hello to Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old had an outstanding last few seasons playing with Lens in Ligue 1, raising his market value from €9.50 million when he first signed with the club in 2020, to over €30 million in 2023. While a move to a bigger club in the French league made the most sense, the former Manchester City academy player has chosen the millions over a big European move. The Ivory Coast international will now have the opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s best at Al-Nassr.
6. Allan Saint-Maximin (€32.00m) - Al-Ahli
Newcastle United’s silky skiller is off to Saudi. After becoming one of the Premier League’s most exciting and entertaining players, Saint-Maximin was transferred to RSL giant Al-Ahli for €27 million. In his four years in England, the Frenchman scored 13 goals and had 21 assists in 124 games. This, plus his amazing ability to constantly create something from nothing, earned him the chance to become the main protagonist of Al-Ahli in the RSL.
5. Otávio (€35.00m) - Al-Nassr
The Portuguese international has chosen Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr as the next step in his career. Otávio had proclaimed himself as one of the Primeira Liga’s most talented players while playing at FC Porto, turning him into a regular in the Portugal national team. However, at 28 years old, the technical winger has chosen to take his talents to Saudi Arabia as opposed to one of Europe’s top 5 leagues after Al-Nassr reportedly triggered his whopping €60 million release clause.
Otávio to Al Nassr, here we go! Verbal agreement reached on €60m release clause fee value
Al Nassr to pay €60m package not in one solution but different installments; waiting to check details on contracts then time for travel and medical.It’s record sale for FC Porto. pic.twitter.com/NHBs85QYyb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 19, 2023
4. Rúben Neves (€40.00m) - Al-Hilal
Manchester United? Barcelona? Al-Hilal. The ex-Wolves midfielder rejected the likes of the biggest clubs in the world to play in the Saudi Pro League. The 26-year-old Portuguese’s age and characteristics could've easily made him one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and while choosing to play in the RSL won’t acclaim him as such, the league will definitely enjoy seeing a player of his caliber play week in and week out.
3. Fabinho (€42.00m) - Al-Ittihad
Former Liverpool star Fabinho is ready to unite with current Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema. In perhaps one of the most surprising moves this summer to the RSL, Liverpool starter and crucial player Fabinho has decided to take Saudi Arabia in a transfer that saw Liverpool receive around €46.70 million, a fee larger than what the Premier League club bought him for. The Brazilian had become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world whilst playing at Anfield and at 29 years old, the ex-Monaco man hung his European boots to play the final part of his career in the RSL.
2. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (€50.00m) - Al-Hilal
Serie A has lost one of its best players to the RSL. Milinkovic-Savic had established himself as Lazio’s best player and as one of the best players in all of Italy. In his eight years with the Italian club, the 28-year-old played 340 games, scoring 69 goals and providing 59 assists along the way. In 2018, the Serbian international reached a market value of over €90 million, turning into one of the most interesting midfielders in the European market. However, after not being able to make the move to another club in his peak, the former KRC Genk player will now try to leave his mark in Saudi Arabia.
1. Neymar Jr. (€60.00m) - Al-Hilal
One of the world’s best is turning away from European stardom, and turning to one of the biggest sport contracts in the Saudi League. After a pair of lackluster seasons at Paris Saint-Germain alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, the Brazilian’s future seemed necessary of a change. The obvious destination was that of a return to former club FC Barcelona under his former teammate and now manager, Xavi or perhaps a bold move to the Premier League. However, the 31-year-old had other plans in mind. Neymar will reportedly earn over €200 million in the two years of his contract, with a potential increase to €300 million.
