Top five big Saudi Pro League signings that failed horribly

These players failed with their first impression in the Saudi Pro League.

The entire footballing landscape changed when Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia to join Al Nassr in 2023. This move brought a global spotlight on the Saudi Pro League and it became a desired destination for many superstars. Players like Karim Benzema, Neymar Jr., and Riyad Mahrez soon followed the footsteps of the Portuguese legend and moved away from the European stage for a new challenge.

However, not all the transfers to the Saudi Pro League have been successful. While some players thrived and showcased their elite ability, others struggled to find their best level. Injuries and multiple off-field issues played a huge role in these players failing to make a significant impact. In this article, we will take a look at the top five Saudi Pro League signings that failed miserably.

5. Édouard Mendy

Édouard Mendy was an integral part of Chelsea’s team that won the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League. The Senegalese international emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in the world under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel. He was praised heavily by his peers and opponents at the peak of his powers but that quickly changed.

His performances declined and he lost his place to Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks. He joined Al-Ahli in 2023 to restore his best level but the move didn’t go as planned. He is prone to making mistakes and we witness lapses in his concentration regularly as well.

4. Allan Saint-Maximin

The former Newcastle star was expected to take the Saudi Pro League by storm. The Frenchman is renowned for his dribbling and playmaking. He can get past defenders with relative ease with his quick feet and mesmerizing skills.

He was supposed to emerge as a superstar when he joined Al Ahli in 2023. However, the move was not nearly as successful as was initially expected. His season was full of inconsistent performances as he failed to fully adapt to the league’s style.

He was loaned out to Fenerbahçe the following season but has failed to impress Jose Mourinho as well. Reports are emerging that his contract is expected to be terminated by the Turkish giants and his future is in limbo right now.

3. Fabinho

The defensive midfielder was one of the first names on the starting lineup of Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp. He won many trophies in England and made history by winning the league title with the Merseyside club. He was incredible in reading the game and recovering balls from his opponents.

Great group win tonight. Amazing spirit! Let's go! 🟡⚫️🐅 pic.twitter.com/La5BLIF5yC

— Fabinho (@_fabinhotavares) February 6, 2025

He was also very versatile and played equally well in defence and advanced midfield roles. He joined his fellow Premier League midfielder, Ngolo Kante in Al Ittihad in 2023 for €46 million. He had a hard time adapting to the league in his first season.

Moreover, his consistently occurring injuries made his time even more difficult. He only played 19 league games out of a possible 34 in his first season and looked far from his incredible self.

2. Jordan Henderson

Number two belongs to another Liverpool player and their former captain, Jordan Henderson. After his 12 successful years at Liverpool, the Englishman decided to join Al-Ettifaq in 2023. However, his stint in the Saudi Pro League lasted just six months.

He only played 19 games in Saudi Arabia and moved to AFC Ajax in January 2024. He had a hard time adjusting to the weather in Saudi Arabia and also admitted that there were family reasons behind his decision to move away from Al-Ettifaq. Reports emerged that he was also very unhappy with the lack of interest from the fans in the country. He was a very high-profile signing and the conclusion of his move had an adverse effect on the Saudi Pro League.

1. Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr’s move to Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal was supposed to be perfect. One of the best players in the world joining one of the best clubs in Asia had people excited about Neymar’s new ventures. After his controversial exit from PSG, Neymar was motivated to show his quality to the world.

However, things turned south very quickly. He suffered an ACL injury during an international break and was sidelined for an entire year. His long absence had people excited about his heroic return to the pitch but another injury broke and camel’s back and ended Al Hilal’s trust in the Brazilian maestro. His contract was terminated last month and he joined his boyhood club, Santos to play his last few years as a professional footballer.

Estou vivendo um sonho e eu não quero acordar 🥹🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/tYCocvvZyo

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) February 1, 2025

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