THE DREAM of huge wages and a fresh start in the Saudi Pro League has turned into a nightmare for some players who are seeking a swift return to Europe.
A host of star-studded names made the switch to the Middle East in the summer as huge sums of money were thrown at attracting the best in the land.
Ex-Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino are being linked with returns to EuropeGetty
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema is being eyed up by ChelseaGetty
They included Karim Benzema, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, N’Golo Kante, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Jota, Aleksandar Mitrovic and a whole lot more.
The majority of those joined the four state-owned clubs – Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal – while former Liverpool captain Henderson linked up with Reds icon Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.
But just months after leaving European football, many of them are being linked with Saudi exits – with Firmino linked to Fulham, Henderson set to join Ajax, Jota eyeing a switch to Tottenham, and Benzema in Chelsea’s crosshairs.
So why are all these players so keen for a swift departure from Saudi? SunSport has taken a look at the main reasons the moves have turned sour for some of football’s biggest names.
Brutal heat becoming unbearable
The scorching temperatures in Saudi Arabia are causing players to suffer in the heat.
Training is taking place in the evening due to the sweltering climate – with it often reaching 40 degrees celsius in some parts of the country.
It has been reported that one of the reasons for Henderson, 33, seeking a way out is the inability of the Sunderland born ace to cope with the heat during matches.
But it should have come as no surprise to the England midfielder.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was the first high-profile player to make the switch from European football to the Saudi Pro League when he joined two years ago.
And while he has begun to adapt, he insisted last summer that the searing humidity was the biggest adjustment.
Speaking to LiveScore, he said: “The biggest difference I have found in Saudi is obviously the heat and adapting schedules to train later in the day when it is cooler.”
Dreadful attendances
GettySaudi Pro League crowds have been desperately small at many games this season[/caption]
The embarrassingly small crowds in the Saudi Pro League this season have made for a disappointing spectacle.
Liverpool legend Henderson was used to playing in front of a raucous 50,000 at Anfield.
But back in November, he turned out for Al-Ettifaq with a crowd of just 610 in attendance.
And, as of last month, that is just the fifth-smallest attendance in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Riyadh, who sit 15th out of 18 teams in Saudi’s top tier, have hosted two matches with less than 150 people watching this season.
Meanwhile, a crunch relegation clash between Abha and Al-Hazm saw just 1.2 per cent of the stadium filled – 257 fans out of a possible 20,000.
More than half the teams in the league have an average attendance of less than 10,000 people.
It is evident that the influx of star players has not translated into Saudi locals attending matches.
Smallest attendances in Saudi Pro League this season
The five smallest attendances in the Saudi Pro League this season are as follows:
Al-Riyadh vs Al-Khalee – 144
Abha vs Al-Hazm – 257
Al-Riyadh vs Al-Hazm – 264
Al-Wehda vs Al-Khaleej – 447
Al-Feiha vs Al-Ettifaq – 610
Social life dramatically different
A number of social factors will have contributed to a difficult adjustment for many foreign stars arriving in Saudi Arabia.
The players’ female partners that moved to the country are legally not allowed out in public alone.
It is a rarity for Saudi women to drive despite a blanket ban being lifted in 2018.
And all citizens and visitors are also prevented from consuming alcohol.
The culture in the Middle East is a world away from what many European-based players will have experienced during their careers.
According to iNews, Henderson’s family is “unsettled” in Saudi as he looks to seal a move to Dutch giants Ajax.
International concerns
Another issue for players has been the standard of the league – and what it means for their prospects of being picked for their country.
Henderson has so far remained a part of the England squad since his move, however it’s been reported that he has concerns about keeping his place in the side with Euro 2024 on the horizon.
While the Saudi Pro League is peppered with international superstars, the bulk of players making up the numbers are of a level closer to League Two in standard.
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