Real Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti Issues Warning About the Saudi Pro League

• Carlo Ancelotti has said the Saudi Pro League will catch up with European football
• Saudi Pro League clubs have been signing some top players from Europe this summer
• Cristiano Ronaldo was the first top player to move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said the Saudi Pro League cannot compete with European football now, but it will be a threat in the next few years.

The Saudi Pro League has signed several high-profile footballers from European clubs and offered monstrous wages to attract them.

Several high-profile players have joined Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) in Saudi Arabia, including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and N’Golo Kante from Chelsea, who both joined champions Al-Ittihad. Roberto Firmino, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez are other top players who've moved to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Pro League clubs have spent more than some of Europe's top league, and with a few weeks left in the summer transfer window, they will sign more players. Some have accused the country of sportswashing.

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According to the Guardian, Saudi Arabia has spent at least $6.3 billion (£4.9bn) in sports deals since early 2021,

Ancelotti on Saudi Pro League

Speaking at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, USA, ahead of the match against Barcelona, the Real Madrid manager shared his thoughts about the Saudi Pro League.

"Football, like the rest of the world, is going global. Arab teams are investing a lot of money and they are going to improve, like MLS. On a collective level, European football is more competitive, but in the future everything could even out."

The Saudi Pro League will definitely need plenty of time to reach the level of the top five European leagues, which have audiences all over the world.

Guardiola credits Ronaldo

Sports Brief earlier reported on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola lauding Ronaldo for paving the way for top footballers to move to Saudi Arabia.

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"A few months ago when Cristiano (Ronaldo) was the only one to go, no one thought this many top, top extraordinary players would go to play in the Saudi league."

He also added that the Saudi Pro League has changed the transfer market.