The newly emerged Saudi League has become one of the most lucrative soccer leagues in the world. The clubs have splashed huge amounts of money in the transfer market this summer, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Karim Benzema just a few of the big names to join the Saudi adventure. However, despite big broadcasting deals across the globe, it seems like the Saudi Pro League has failed to grab the attention of one famous soccer legend.

In a recent debate, a former French soccer legend made a bold statement regarding the Saudi League, dropping a bombshell regarding his experience with the the league. Let’s dive deeper and get to know if the Saudi League’s investment in star power paid off.

Soccer legend left unimpressed by the Saudi League even with the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo

In a recent ESPN FC debate, soccer legend Frank Leboeuf joined Gab Marcotti, Shaka Hislop, and Craig Burnley on the panel. The spotlight of the debate was on the summer transfer window, which was headlined by the Saudi League via their extravagant signings. During the debate, Frank Leboeuf’s take on the Saudi League became an unexpected focal point.

When asked about his take on the Saudi Pro League and has he had been watching the games, Leboeuf’s response was blunt. He said, “No, No! I tried to watch one game because some French channel got the rights for the Saudi Arabia Championship and, I think, I switched to another channel to watch animals and stuff like that after 25 minutes.“

Leboeuf’s response was so intriguing, that the host couldn’t help but ask, “What were you watching? Animals?” To which Leboeuf replied, “Yeah, I was watching the forest, the rain forest, kind of Discovery Channel, more interesting stuff than football.” The former French defender’s comments left the audience and fellow panelists stunned. It paints a revealing picture of the state of affairs in Saudi Arabian soccer.

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Since the initiation of this year’s campaign in the Roshn Saudi League, multiple broadcasters have obtained exclusive rights to screen the games. Although the Saudi Pro League is being televised in around 170 countries, the question remains regarding the outcome of their huge investments. With soccer analysts like Leboeuf finding the league boring, it seems like the influx of world-class talent is not enough to attract followers.

Has the Saudi League’s investment in star power paid off?

It’s undeniable that the Saudi clubs’ immense investment in marquee signings like Ronaldo and Neymar has generated buzz among fans. However, LeBoeuf’s comments raise questions about the overall appeal of the league, despite the presence of soccer stars. While big star players’ names can draw attention, it’s on-pitch action and competitiveness that ultimately retain the viewers.

Leboeuf’s confession may serve as a warning to the Saudi League, as it highlights the importance of investing in the overall development of the league rather than just star players. It will be interesting to see how the Saudi Pro League advances and evolves in the coming years. The league still has a long way to go before it can be considered one of the best in the world.

What’s your take on the newly emerging Saudi Pro League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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