Sports
“Saudi league is for finished players” – UEFA President reveals
Aleksander Ceferin, the president of UEFA, has claimed that the Saudi Pro League is for players who are at the end of their football careers or no longer ambitious.
He also insisted that even though the Saudi Pro League has signed some of the most famous footballers in Europe like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mane, Mahrez, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Firmino, Kante and many others, the league is not a threat to leagues in Europe.
The UEFA President told L’Equipe that the Saudi Pro League is just like the Chinese League that stunned the world years ago by splashing money on big-name players but couldn’t continue with the practice after a couple of years.
“It’s not a threat, we saw a similar approach in China,” the UEFA President said.
“They bought players at the end of their careers by offering them a lot of money. Chinese football didn’t develop and didn’t qualify for the World Cup afterward.
“That’s not the right way to do it. They should work on player and coach development, but that’s not my problem.”
Most of the players the Saudi Pro League has signed so far are in their 30s which means they have played the best they can in Europe before they accepted to leave the continent.
However, the league has signed a couple of players in their 20s like 26-year-old Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle United, 24-year-old Jota from Celtic, and 28-year-old Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio.
The league tried to sign 24-year-old France forward Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint Germain but the French rejected their over €300 million tempting offer.
In his analysis, the UEFA President said the players who left Europe for the Saudi Pro League are “players at the end of their careers and others who aren’t ambitious enough to aspire to the ‘top’ competitions.”
He added, “As far as I know, Mbappe and [Erling] Haaland don’t dream of Saudi Arabia. I don’t believe that the best players at the pinnacle of their careers would go to Saudi Arabia.
“When people talk to me about the players who went there, nobody knows where they’re playing.”
Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has been dealt a devastating blow, losing his mother barely two months after the passing of his father.
Nwabali shared the heartbreaking news on X on New Year’s day, writing, “Rip mom, worst year of my life already” accompanied by tears and heartbreak emojis.
This emotional post came just hours after he shared a 2024 recap video, expressing optimism for the new year.
“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he had written earlier.
Nwabali’s father died in November, just hours after the goalkeeper helped the Super Eagles secure a crucial point in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
The goalkeeper’s bravery on the field was evident as he manned the goalpost despite his personal loss.
His teammates, fans, and well-wishers rallied around him, offering condolences and support.
With the loss of both parents, Nwabali joins the likes of Victor Osimhen, who has also experienced the pain of losing both parents.
Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappé, shared a rare glimpse of his personal life during an interview with Mouloud Achour on Clique.
The 25-year-old addressed serious allegations about an alleged rape incident in Stockholm but captured attention with his reflections on love and relationships.
When asked about expressing love, the Les Bleus forward shared: “Yes, to my mother, my father, my little brother. I try to give them this affection every day.”
On romantic love, Mbappé revealed to Le Parisien: “Yes, in the past, I have already been in love and I hope that I will be again. But currently, no.”
Watch him speak below:
View this post on Instagram
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
-
Entertainment2 years ago“Everybody sha wan trend for this country” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Nengi BBNaija surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“My Kpekus might be wide oo but you will enjoy it” – Nigerian lady assures fans on social media as she shows off her Toto (Video)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“She has million of followers oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of TikTok celebrity, Buba Girl, surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“Omo! Na she dey inside the tape oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Destiny Etiko surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“She has about a million followers on Instagram oo” – Nigerians react as recent knacking video of Black Chully surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“She now is a big celebrity oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video Empress Njamah surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“Chai! This one na brotherhood knacking oo” – Nigerians react as kpekus video of Candy Bleakz mistakenly leaks on the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment2 years ago“I will gift a car to anyone who stays up to 10 minutes on this Kpekus” – Nigerian lady shows Facebook fans her Toto as she challenges those who are ready to kanck it (Video)