PIF buys four Saudi clubs, including Al Nasr and Al Hilal…who’s next for Ronaldo-Benzema?

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has acquired four teams in the country.

“The PIF has bought the top three teams in the top division this season, Al Ittihad, Al Nasr and Al Hilal, as well as second division champions Al Ahli,” the BBC reported today.

Saudi investment in soccer continues. Al Nasr signed Cristiano Ronaldo last December, followed by Al Ittihad’s acquisition of Karim Benzema. Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Hugo Llorez, and others have also received Saudi offers.

Benzema will reportedly earn around 메이저사이트 €200 million a year at Al Ittihad.

Al-Hilal wants to sign Messi. If Messi confirms a move to Saudi Arabia, it would mean that 13 of the last 14 Ballon d’Or winners have played in Saudi Arabia.

The PIF said: “Each club has been converted into a company. They will be owned by PIF and each club’s non-profit foundation. PIF’s ownership in each club company will be 75% and the non-profit foundation will own 25%.”

PIF previously signaled its intent to divest from soccer by acquiring English club Newcastle United in 2021. While Saudi Arabia has been criticized for using the sport to mask human rights abuses at home, it follows in the footsteps of past government-led soccer investments in China.

The English Premier League’s (EPL) secretariat approved the purchase after receiving “legally binding guarantees” that the Saudi government would not be able to control the club.