Saudi Arabia dominated the transfer window headlines over the summer, spending over £700m on some of the worlds best players; Sky Sports News spoke to Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo in a TV exclusive on the progress and aims of the league...
We are hoping that we have made positive headlines. We look back with great satisfaction that we have put the league in a better place than it was previously. We have been able to attract and embed some of the best players in the world. We have got now, as part of the league, very good players.
Solhekol: You were in the room when you were negotiating with some of the biggest names in the world such as Neymar. What were those conversations like? Did you have to convince them a lot to move?Without giving away details of negotiations, strategies and privy information, what you want to do - which is what the modern footballer and athletes also wants - is to understand: is it worthwhile? What is the milk and honey? Am I going to progress economically with this move.
They were open-minded, we have a clear strategy of presenting to the players of what the adventure for them is looking professionally and personally and as a way of contributing to the growth of the game worldwide. I think I will be glad to think that those points were well communicated to them and acceptable, given they have all signed up.
Solhekol: Do you feel that Ronaldo was the one who made the difference? So, when he went to the Saudi Pro League, the other players went: if Cristiano has done it, then we feel more comfortable following in his footsteps?Absolutely. Given his pedigree, it didn't hurt that he had the balls to do this. All these guys know each other, especially at the top of the tree."Well, I did this and it's big and it's magnificent.
It is true that the economic numbers are great, but there is a lack of truth in the numbers being put out there. Solhekol: What do you say to people who say, is this a repeat of what happened in China with their Super League? A lot of money was spent and very quickly it all stopped. Is this going to last longer?Not only will it last longer, but I believe it will be there to stay and it will continue to grow. If anyone has paid any attention to Saudi football, it will know that its population are very passionate about the game.
We don't feel that we need the validation of the Champions League to be one of the top leagues in the world. Football doesn't need the validation of the Champions League to be considered interesting and wonderful. I played it on the concrete grounds of Nigeria in my local state and I came out to play in front of 20,000 people who watched training sessions alone.
Solhekol: What about your job? We are used to having directors of football for clubs, like the job you did at Chelsea and Monaco. How does it work having a director of football for a league?I am part of a mechanism to do a number of things. One of which is to better professionalise the processes that help the football organisations do better. It is also part of a process to help grow eventual sustainability.
Now, we live in a world of easy access, technology and social media - and it's very easy to criticise and talk about people's actions and responsibilities. But these guys [the players who have joined Saudi Arabia] are exceptional professional, artists and they have a talent. They have honed skills over years and hours to be at the top.
Solhekol: What would you say to people who would say this is more to do with sports washing than sport? Is there an element to it - because the media is now talking about Saudi Arabia in a much more positive way, about footballers, rather than focusing on negatives?Kaveh Solhekol talks about the ambitions for the Saudi Pro League, how Premier League clubs are benefitting and what was made of Jordan Henderson's interview in Saudi Arabia.
The games have been thrilling, and that's in the weather which hasn't been the best. Once we come back from the international break, we are going to be treated to some wonderful football in the league.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Simon Jordan called out Saudi Pro League director of football over spending in heated debate live on talkSPORTSimon Jordan and Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo got into it live on talkSPORT.
Read more »
European clubs are calling for new Saudi Pro League 'rule' to be introduced after huge spendingTop European clubs are calling for the Saudi Pro League to be subject to new regulation amid its high spending, according to reports.
Read more »
Ronaldo makes Saudi Pro League point amid £200m Salah transfer linksThe former Manchester United superstar moved to the Saudi Pro League on a free transfer in December.
Read more »
Saudi Pro League 'no danger' to European footballEuropean football is not in danger from the vast Saudi Pro League recruitment drive, say senior figures at the influential European Clubs' Association.
Read more »