"The Commencement of Project Football: Featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino, and More"
Saudi Arabia’s love of the game is undeniable, and the country’s investment in Project Football with Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino, and co. is only the beginning.
Small children scream and laugh as they rush from swing to roundabout at a colorful playground in a well-kept suburban neighborhood. Parents observe, politely chatting amongst themselves.
This is an everyday occurrence in most parts of the world. The only difference is that it is actually 1:00 AM here.
A resident informs me, “It’s the hottest time of the year.” Night owls are becoming the norm. It is unbearable to be outside throughout the day.
When you initially arrive in Saudi Arabia, the intense heat will be the first thing you notice. The much-anticipated opening game of the country’s Pro League was played on a Friday night when the thermometer read a balmy 40 degrees.
This could help explain how Al-Ahli, one of the four clubs to receive funding from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), blew a 2-0 lead against Al-Hazm despite a strong start from newcomers Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino. They finally prevailed 3-1.
Lots of stuff can be purchased with cash. It can get Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East. The weather cannot be forced to rain.
Michael Emenalo, who decides how the PIF “goodies” are distributed, doesn’t think there’s a big problem. According to his assessment, “I think we’re going through the worst part of it now.”
On Friday night, everyone made it through unscathed. In September, we’ll enter the best months; from then on, it’ll be plain sailing.
Emenalo, director of football for the Saudi Pro League, has access to the PIF’s financial resources and all the answers. With the PIF’s support, he is confident that others will follow Ronaldo’s example.
Although the Saudi Pro League is now ranked around 58th in the world, former Chelsea director Emenalo is confident that this will change within the next few years.
There is cоncern thаt this mаy fаil just like the Chinese Super Leаgue did. а fleeting fаd; а self-indulgent endeаvоr. Sоme hаve likened it tо the mоstly stаged Wоrld Cup thаt Qаtаr hоsted.
A visit, however, displays the preexisting football culture of Saudi Arabia.
The Carabao Cup match between Wrexham and Wigan was shown on televisions in hotels and restaurants earlier in the week.
Excited Al-Ahli fans descended at the stadium three hours before kickoff on Friday, in that stifling heat, and made a racket that persisted throughout the game.
They sang chants that praised their club and criticized their opponents. When former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy gifted his opponents a goal and then made another error shortly after, there were yells of ridicule and the referee was blasted. That was real football action!
A great deal of self-respect was present. Western media were warmly welcomed by the crowd, who expressed their appreciation for their presence.
When I was going through security at Jeddah Airport, the man in front of me turned around, smiled, and handed me a tray. Nobody gave the guy who forgot to remove his belt or the lady who forgot to remove her water bottle the side eye or rolled their eyes.
I wаs tоld thаt “the generаl perceptiоn оf аrаbs in the West is оne оf feаr due tо histоricаl events.”
They go to great lengths to demonstrate that this is wrong. Being welcoming and accommodating is crucial.
