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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has aimed a dig at several top players who have chosen to swap European football for the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr at the start of the year, and his transfer set a max exodus in motion.
Several superstar players have now left Europe to join Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. The likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, and many others have moved in search of the riches on offer.
Barcelona president on why Ronaldo & others have moved to Saudi
Barcelona president Joan Laporta seems to take a rather dim view when it comes to players moving to the Saudi league.
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Speaking to CNN, he said:
“When a player, and with all respect, prefers to go to Saudi Arabia, basically there are no sporting reasons. You know, there are other reasons that are the priority. And the football must be the priority – the sporting reasons must be the priority.”
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Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo shared the same sentiments, as reported by Pulse Sports.
Ighalo said:
“Is Ronaldo still playing out of passion? Ronaldo has earned 100 times more than I have in my entire life and yet he went to Saudi Arabia. Did he do that out of passion? It's for money, bro.”
Regardless of Laporta's comments, more players are expected to move to the Saudi Pro League before the transfer window closes.
15:38 - 29.07.2023
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