Saudi riches tempt Real Madrid stars as Supercopa lands in Jeddah | OneFootball

Saudi Arabia has become a home-from-home for Real Madrid since 2020, and as the Supercopa returns to Jeddah the kingdom’s pull over the club’s stars is again in focus.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Kylian Mbappé’s absence is an economic blow to a tournament aligned with Vision 2030, which uses football to diversify beyond oil by hosting events and chasing elite players for the Saudi Pro League.

Saudi interest has long targeted Madrid icons. Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival was followed by Karim Benzema, and the league has shifted from 2023’s heavy outlay to a privatisation drive that also seeks young prospects.

Figures around Saudi football insist they can still buy the best, though success is not guaranteed. The model has shown capacity to table 40 million a year for each Supercopa edition and 1,000 for five years for Vinícius Júnior, a PIF-backed move to take him to Al Hilal when he was among the world’s top performers.

Before Mbappé joined Madrid, after seven years of refusals, a plan was drawn up to send him to Al Hilal, with sums floated of 300 million to PSG and a 700 million contract, underlining that money was no obstacle.

The net has widened beyond peak-form targets. After a dip late last season, Rodrygo was linked to an Al Hilal and PIF proposal worth 300 million to replace Neymar.

Many numbers emerged via leaks rather than firm bids, but the interest is tangible, including a Prague meeting between Vinícius’s camp and Saudi representatives. Luka Modric rejected 100 million over two years before joining Milan, while Nacho embraced the move and now captains Al-Qadisiyah. The lure is set to hover again over this Supercopa.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo