Saudi Arabia’s quest to become a global soccer powerhouse has seen them inject significant financial resources into their domestic league. Ronaldo’s signing by Al Nassr was a landmark moment, and the club’s ambitions don’t stop there. They are now targeting high-profile Premier League stars Kevin De Bruyne and Casemiro in a bid to further strengthen their squad. However, their pursuit has hit a snag, as Roberto Mancini expressed his opposition to the increasing number of foreign players.
As Al-Nassr aims to challenge for titles, this latest hurdle from Mancini now cast a shadow over their ambitions. Let’s go deeper and uncover the story behind this latest fiasco.
Roberto Mancini becomes a hurdle in Al-Nassr’s transfer plans
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Roberto Mancini, having coached the Italian national team to Euro Cup triumph, swiftly took the reins of Saudi Arabia’s national team, bringing with him a unique perspective. However, his recent declaration challenged the surge in foreign players in the Saudi Pro League. While Mancini acknowledges the allure of attracting established stars like Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema, he believes prioritizing the development of local talent is crucial for the long-term sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s soccer.
عاجل – الرياضية :
مدرب المنتخب مانشيني يرى عدم زيادة اللاعبين الأجانب في الدوري ، والاكتفاء في (8) لاعبين فقط . pic.twitter.com/vvEOrlh2yG
— الأحداث الرياضية (@NewsNow4Sports) December 6, 2023
Mancini’s comments have now set the stage for a potential clash with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. As the Italian manager advocated for a restriction with only eight foreign players, he has thrown a curveball at Al-Nassr’s plans to secure Kevin De Bruyne and Casemiro. Mancini argues that a limited foreign player quota will encourage clubs to invest in youth academies and foster a more competitive domestic league.
Mancini’s viewpoint resonates with many within the newly emerged Saudi soccer landscape. Though star power and foreign talent attract viewership, it has raised concerns about the development of local players. It’ll be interesting to see how Al-Nassr continues their pursuit for De Bruyne and Casemiro.
READ MORE: Kevin De Bruyne Closer to Al Nassr as Julian Alvarez Dominates Creativity for Manchester City
Notably, the league has historically imposed constraints on foreign admissions. The previous limit stood at seven overseas players. However, the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo prompted an adjustment, raising the quota to eight. Nevertheless, with the league’s commercial value going up, talks of removing any cap on foreign player involvement are rumored.
All eyes will be on Al-Nassr, as they look to finalize more star signings. Do you think there must be a cap at foreign players’ involvement in Saudi Pro League? Let us know in the comments!
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