Mohamed Salah Signed for Saudi Club Leaving Brazilian Team-Mate Confused
A Brazilian player from Al-Adalah was initially thrilled thinking his club signed Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, only to realize it was a namesake. This incident underscores the significant growth and investment in the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted many top football talents. Edson discusses the league's bright future and its ambitious plans for 2030.
A Brazilian player from Al-Adalah experienced a rollercoaster of emotions when he heard his club had signed Mohamed Salah, only to discover it was not the Liverpool star but a namesake.
In 2023, the Saudi Pro League attracted many high-profile players. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after the 2022 World Cup, and Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves also moved to Saudi clubs. Liverpool saw several of their stars, including Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Sadio Mane, transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Despite Salah signing a three-year extension with Liverpool in 2022, there was a substantial bid from a Saudi club before the 2023/24 season, which Liverpool rejected. However, Edson, a Brazilian defensive midfielder at Al-Adalah, mistakenly believed his team had signed the famous Egyptian forward when he read about a new signing on June 24, 2023.
In an interview with ESPN, Edson shared his initial excitement: "Regarding Salah, I thought it was Liverpool's. It turned out not to be. I was hoping that was it. Arab football is growing a lot every year, and if Salah went there, it wouldn't be something out of this world."
The signed player was actually a left-back from Saudi Arabia, who only made three appearances for the club last season. Edson also discussed the league's growing financial influence and its positive implications.
"People are investing a lot in Arab football, aiming to strengthen the league each year. I'm happy to participate in this magical moment that football is experiencing there," he said.
Edson praised the continuous investment from league officials and the Saudi Federation, which has been increasing annually. He expressed optimism about the future of Saudi football, believing it could become one of the top leagues globally by 2030.
"They have a plan for 2030 to transform Saudi Arabia like Dubai. To attract tourists, they are investing heavily in city structures. I'm sure the Saudi Championship will be among the top six or seven in the world. I have no doubt about that because it is growing a lot every year."
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