THE SAUDI Pro League is slowly but surely attracting some of the biggest names in the world football.
The top flight of Kingdom footie sent shockwaves throughout the sport last year when five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr.
The footie icon will be joined in Saudi next season by fellow Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, who will join Al-Ittihad next month.
And the duo could find themselves playing against Lionel Messi – who is an official ambassador of The Kingdom – as Al Hilal are hot on his heels.
Several other big-name players have been linked with moves to the Middle East, so much so SunSport has devised an All-Star Saudi League starting XI.
Current Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea starts between the sticks as he’s reportedly being targeted by several Saudi clubs.
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The back four consists of three LaLiga greats and a current Chelsea star – which comes in the form of Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Thiago Silva and Jordi Alba.
Former Real Madrid ace Ramos is a target for Al Hilal, while Al Nassr are reportedly interested in signing 40-year-old Pepe.
Silva is said to be a target for “multiple” Saudi sides, while Al Hilal are claimed to be in for Alba.
Chelsea and Manchester City midfielders N’Golo Kante and Ilkay Gundogan – who are reported tagerts for Al-Ittihad – anchor the midfield.
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Messi and Ronaldo are two key components of an attacking midfield along with Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha – who has been offered a £45million contract by Al-Nassr.
And our attack is spearheaded by Benzema, who scored 31 goals in what proved to be his final season for Real Madrid.
Benzema’s move to Al-Itthad was confirmed on Tuesday, with the former France international issuing a statement shortly his signing was made official.
The 35-year-old said: “I am excited to see you in Jeddah.
“Al-Ittihad is a new challenge for me. It’s a good league and there are many good players.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead.
“And I am here to win as I did in Europe.”
SunSport’s Saudi all-star XI: De Gea; Ramos, Pepe, Silva, Jordi Alba; Kante, Gundogan, Messi, Ronaldo, Zaha; Benzema
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
