When Cristiano Ronaldo became a free agent last December after terminating his contract with Premier League giant Manchester United, the international soccer star had a choice. He could have signed for another European club. Instead, he made the bold move to sign with Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr in a deal worth a whopping $75 million a season.  

Many other big-name players have joined Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia this summer. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Liverpool’s Fabinho and Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez have all left Europe for the Middle East. In recent weeks, others like Paris saint-Germain star Neymar also completed a move to Saudi Arabia, signing with Al-Hilal. The 31-year-old Brazilian striker said that he wants to “write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment.”

The Saudis also have lots of money, easily outspending European clubs for players. Since the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund took control of four teams earlier this year, the deep-pocketed Saudis are recruiting players — and specifically Muslim talent — in their quest to change their global image. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International have called this process “sportswashing.”

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But Saudi Arabia also sees soccer as a way of diversifying their economy, given that much of the country’s revenue is generated by the oil industry. At the same time, the game is incredibly popular. Saudi Arabia has also hired Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi to serve as its tourism ambassador and has said it is interested in hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

This also comes five years after Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist and critic of Saudi Arabia's government, walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was murdered. Saudi officials have said he was killed in a “rogue operation” by agents sent to persuade him to return to the kingdom. Turkish aurthorities believe the agents acted on orders from the highest levels of the Saudi government.

While critics argue that distracting the world’s population by spending money on a rival golf league or on soccer stars to cover up its poor human rights record is a top Saudi motivation, Muslim athletes find the chance to play in Saudi Arabia something that goes beyond the big-name contracts, lavish homes and fast cars. It’s a chance for them to be role models and compete in a comfortable setting.

“It’s where I want to be,” Benzema told reporters after signing with Al-Ittihad. “It’s important for me to be in a Muslim country, where I feel people (are) already like me. It will allow me to have a new life, and I can’t wait to live there.”

Muslim players find an alternative

Benzema, who represents France at international level, is the son of Algerian immigrants. A practicing Muslim, Bezema said Saudi Arabia is “different” compared to Europe.

“I’ve already been to Saudi Arabia, and I feel good about it,” he added. “Most importantly, it’s a Muslim country, it’s beloved and it’s beautiful.”

Another prominent player, Sadio Mane, recently signed with Al-Nassr. The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich striker also said part of what prompted the move was his faith. Mane, a practicing Muslim, was born in Senegal.

“Since I had the opportunity, I spoke to my family and they were happiest, of course, because it is a Muslim country,” Mane said in an interview with Arab News. “My mom especially encouraged me to go. My mom is Muslim like me. She was the first to vote for me to go here, and my whole family was excited for me to come here, so it was not hard — it is important to my faith. I am pleased to be part of this project and to make it go forward. We have a bright future ahead.”

Benzema and Mane aren’t alone. The Athletic reported that at least seven incoming players this summer — including Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly — are Muslim. While an obvious goal of the soccer investment in Saudi Arabia has been bringing in world-class players, bringing in elite Muslim players has also played into the same strategy.

“I think Saudi being a Muslim country is the cherry on top rather than the primary motivator for these players,” said Ra’ed Gilliam, a Manchester United fan from Lebanon. “The endless reserves of money and the truly astronomical salaries on offer is the main appeal here. That being said, Saudi Arabia is set up with so many laws that go above and beyond typical Middle Eastern countries in their adherence to conservative Islamic law, which will feel comforting and refreshing for these players and their families. The proximity to Mecca and Medina will be meaningful to them as well, so they can perform their essential pilgrimage, the Hajj.”

It should be noted that public practice of any religion other than Islam in public is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Most Saudi Muslims are Sunni. It is a country where there is no separation between the state and religion. In general, the government does not adhere to religious freedom, but permits Shia religious gatherings and non-Muslim private practices.

The differences between Sunni and Shia Islam arose from a disagreement over the succession to Muhammad and has since taken on broader theological and political meaning.

Trend to boost Arab soccer

The Saudi Pro League has repeatedly been accused of inflating the market for players. CNBC reported that Ronaldo’s contract, for example, would see him earn approximately $1 million a week. Most Premier League clubs in England cannot compete with those salaries.

Some believe this could very well be the start of a trend — but what it means for the quality of Middle Eastern soccer remains in question.

“It will be interesting to see … especially if it begins to apply to players at various stages of their careers,” Gillam said. “But we shouldn't underestimate the appeal that the Muslim civilization on offer in Saudi Arabia will have to many Muslim players who didn't grow up in the Arab world. Learning the language, visiting the sites, embracing the culture will be meaningful in many ways for the more devout players, and that will always be a uniquely attractive feature about Saudi for Muslim players.”

For now, the Saudi Pro League continues to attract interest from soccer players, including Muslims, as evidenced over the past few weeks by Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Sevilla’s Yassine Bonou, both of whom enjoyed an impressive semifinal run at the World Cup with Morocco this past December.

“I don't think the Saudi League will ever be regarded in the same caliber of (Spain’s) La Liga or Premier League, certainly not while Saudi clubs aren’t able to play in the UEFA Champions League.” Gillam added. “The Champions League is where the best players play for the most iconic clubs in world football, and the best players will always want a shot at winning the best trophies. Unless the Saudi League or MLS or other non-European leagues find a way to sneak their way into the Champions League, which is certainly possible, they won't be able to quite match the appeal or the competitive level of the Premier League or La Liga.”

Saudi Pro League’s Director of Football Michael Emenalo said the Gulf state is “disrupting the industry, but we are disrupting to enhance. We’re adding value to the industry.”

Emenalo told CNN that players like Benzema opted to play in Saudi Arabia over anywhere else in the world because they want to “go and blaze a trail.”

Rafa Oliveira is an intern with ReligionUnplugged.com covering technology and religion. He is a recent graduate of The King’s College in New York City with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics. He speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish and is an ardent Manchester United Supporter.