Ferran Torres and the punished one from Al Nassr: how Roshn clubs missed World Cup glory | OneFootball

Spain’s World Cup triumph arrived without a single Roshn League player in De la Fuente’s squad. According to Goal.com, the Saudi competition had celebrated Euro 2024 with Nacho Fernandez and Aymeric Laporte, but this time its clubs watched on.

La Roja settled the final against Argentina with a single goal, built on tactical control and defensive discipline. Despite a sizeable Spanish contingent in Saudi Arabia, none were selected.

The most pointed near miss centres on Laporte, who formed a title-winning partnership with Pau Cubarsi a season after leaving Al-Nassr for Athletic Bilbao. His spell in Riyadh ended unhappily under Stefano Pioli, with sanctions that saw him train alone and miss the run-in, and he later called the atmosphere difficult amid constant staff changes.

Elsewhere, The Athletic reported Marcos Llorente nearly joined Al Ahli in 2023, with finances agreed and only a medical pending, before the move collapsed. Cadena SER said Ferran Torres rejected a lucrative offer from the Kingdom to stay at Barcelona, then turned from outcast to national hero by scoring the winner against Argentina.

There were gains. L’Equipe detailed FIFA’s club benefits scheme paying 4,300 euros per day per player from 1 June to 19 July 2026, within a total budget of 305.3 million euros.

Al-Hilal sent 12 players, the most of any Saudi side, and thus profited most. Full-back Theo Hernandez stayed with France through to the third-place match, though they missed bronze.

Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr followed with nine apiece, while Ivan Toney helped England secure bronze. Al-Qadsiah sent six players and watched Julian Quinones shine with four goals and a decisive assist in five games.

In total, 49 Roshn League footballers featured at the tournament, yet that final step eluded Saudi clubs in claiming a world champion. At the top of the wider list of beneficiaries stood Barcelona.

Source: Goal.com