From Signing $141 Million Combined Players to Significant Damage in Soccer- Here’s How the Super Chinese League Lost Its Charm

The blockbuster signing of Cristiano Ronaldo highlights the emergence of the Saudi Pro League in Asia. Before the Covid pandemic hit, the Chinese Super League dominated Asian soccer. The clubs in the league signed a host of superstars by spending enormous sums on transfers and wages. Chinese league was attracting many soccer superstars then, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale once linked with the moves. 

However, the league started to decline before the Covid pandemic hit as the authorities tightened the regulations on spending. It saw many clubs shutting down and a host of soccer stars moving to Saudi Pro League, highlighting the shift to the ambitious country. 

What happened to the Chinese Super League?

Chinese Super League once threatened the top European soccer leagues by attracting talents and established players. Money was not a concern for them, as they were ready to splash enormous cash. The $141 million signing of the Brazil duo by Shanghai SIPG in 2016 and $743k weekly wages to Carlos Tevez highlighted the extent to which the clubs were ready to spend. 

When the soccer boom started in China, many private players entered the league and purchased the clubs. They went on a spending spree and were attracting soccer stars worldwide. The uncontrolled spending lead to a rise in debts, and then the country suffered from a real estate crisis and the pandemic. 

Before the pandemic hit, the authorities tightened the spending regulations. But nothing changed. The league was already on the decline with financial crisis started to creep in. Once the pandemic and real estate crisis hit, many owners found it difficult to keep the clubs running and dissolved them. 

Tianjin Quanjian, a big spending club linked with a move for Ronaldo, was the first of many closed clubs. The reasons were simple, financial or legal issues. Another club, Jiangsu Suning, owned by the country’s leading retailers, was shut in 2021 only after winning the league title. With the emergence of zero COVID policy in China, soccer dominance in Asia started shifting toward Saudi Arabia. 

The arrival of Saudi Arabia on the continent’s soccer map

Shutting down the clubs, salary caps, and China’s zero COVID policy made soccer players jump ship. Most of them joined Saudi Pro League clubs. Saudi Arabia has made amendments to its soccer program to get itself on the world soccer map. 

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After the pandemic hit, Saudi Arabia started making inroads. They have their focus on bidding to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Egypt and Greece. They have stamped themselves by tying two GOATs with them. Lionel Messi signed a multi-million deal to promote Saudi tourism last year. Saudi club Al Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo in a blockbuster to start the year. 

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Saudi clubs are linked with the moves for many soccer stars in the summer transfer window. On the other hand, the Chinese Super League is losing its luster, with debt-ridden clubs unable to spend. Let us know your thoughts on the decline of the Chinese Super League.