Football News: Euro 2024, Champions League, and World Cup Updates
In a surprising turn of events at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament, several players from the Saudi Pro League have made a significant impact, challenging the perception that the league is a career afterthought.
During Austria’s opening group game against France, 23-year-old Wolfsburg striker Patrick Wimmer was chasing a late equalizer when he was caught by the relentless N’Golo Kanté, the 33-year-old midfielder who recently joined Al-Ittihad from Chelsea. Kanté was named the player of the match, having covered an impressive 11.8km and reaching a top speed of 21.4mph, second only to Kylian Mbappé.
Elsewhere, Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who now plays for Al-Hilal, covered an incredible 13.9km in his team’s match against England. Meanwhile, Romania’s Nicolae Stanciu, who plays for Damac in the Saudi Pro League, scored the opening goal against Ukraine and was also named the player of the match.
Even the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who now represents Al-Nassr, looked sharp as he played the full 90 minutes for Portugal against the Czech Republic, despite failing to find the net.
These performances have challenged the notion that the Saudi Pro League is a career dead-end, with the league now supplying 14 players to the Euro 2024 tournament – more than most of the countries that actually qualified.
In terms of overseas players, the Saudi league is the sixth-biggest supplier, ahead of the Eredivisie, the Turkish Super Lig, and the Portuguese Primera Liga.
The reason for this unexpected success lies in the reduced physical demands of the Saudi league compared to the intensity of the European competitions. Players like Kanté, Laporte, and Mitrovic have found the gentler pace of the Saudi league ideal for maintaining their fitness and form ahead of the tournament.
However, the Saudi league’s influence extends beyond the pitch, with the country’s ruling regime seeing the league as a means of cultural and political legitimacy. The tournament is marked by the presence of “Visit Qatar” signs and a Chinese automotive sponsor, reflecting the broader geopolitical shifts in the world of football.
As the Euro 2024 tournament progresses, the performance of the Saudi-based players will continue to be a fascinating subplot, with the league’s ability to attract top talent and compete on the biggest stages a crucial part of its ongoing development.
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