Saudi Arabia says it desires its traders to take over Manchester United and Liverpool – and hopes Cristiano Ronaldo involves play in its home league.
Sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal revealed the nation’s newest sporting ambitions in an interview with Sky News – with the sovereign wealth fund already proudly owning Newcastle and now funding a breakaway golf sequence.
It is the supply of United – after the Glazers introduced plans for a possible sale – and Ronaldo that’s attention-grabbing Prince Abdulaziz.
He could be eager on Ronaldo signing for a Saudi Pro League after the World Cup, with the 37-year-old a free agent following a fraught departure this week from United.
“Who wouldn’t want him to play in their league?” Prince Abdulaziz instructed Sky News. “He’s a role model to a lot of young players – him and Messi.”
The imaginative and prescient would see the Saudi league that includes each Ronaldo and Messi, who continues to be signed to Paris Saint-Germain however is already signed as much as promote Saudi Arabia.
“That’s benefited a lot in terms of tourism for the kingdom,” Prince Abdulaziz mentioned. “If they can, I’d love to see them both play in the Saudi league.”
Newcastle was purchased by the Saudis final 12 months via the Public Investment Fund, which the Premier League claims shouldn’t be managed by the federal government regardless of being headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Now two different Premier League golf equipment are available on the market – Liverpool and United – and the sports activities minister desires both – or each – to fall beneath Saudi possession.
“I hope so, if there are investors and the numbers add up, and it makes a good business,” he mentioned. “Then the private sector could come in, or companies could come in, from the kingdom.”
He added: “The Premier League is the best league in the world. Everyone’s watching the Premier League. It’s the most watched league and there are diehard fans of these teams in the kingdom. So it would be a benefit for everyone.”
“I can say that we have a strong league. It’s not one of the strongest in Asia. You know, we’re building towards a better future. And we see how the future holds up for that.”
He continued: “And you know, I heard about these speculations in the news, as everyone else. I don’t have any details about any of the reports that have been coming out. But you know, what I can say is that we have Messi as an ambassador for tourism in the kingdom with the ministry of tourism – and that’s benefited a lot.”
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He went on: “In terms of tourism for the kingdom, if they can, I’d love to see them both play in the Saudi League, and, you know, if top players come into the Saudi League and play that will reinforce the programmes that we’re doing.
“It will showcase that, you understand, the league is stronger to showcase that there is potential for the youth to admire for the longer term.”
Source: information.sky.com”