The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has recently announced that it will continue its recruitment push despite the absence of Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar has been a long-time target of the SAFF, but his recent decision to stay with his current club, Barcelona, has left the federation without one of its most sought-after players.
Despite this setback, the SAFF has made it clear that it will not be deterred from its recruitment goals. The federation has already signed several high-profile players in recent months, including former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. The SAFF is also reportedly in talks with other top players, such as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, in an effort to bolster its roster.
The recruitment push is part of the SAFF’s broader goal of improving the quality of football in Saudi Arabia. The federation is investing heavily in youth development and is looking to bring in more experienced players to help mentor the younger generation. The SAFF is also looking to attract more international attention to the Saudi Arabian league, which has long been overshadowed by other Middle Eastern leagues such as the UAE Pro League and Qatar Stars League.
The SAFF’s recruitment efforts are also part of a larger effort to improve the country’s image abroad. The federation is hoping that by bringing in high-profile players, it can help to attract more foreign investment and tourism to Saudi Arabia. This could be a major boost for the country’s economy and could help to improve its global standing.
While Lionel Messi’s absence will be a major blow for the SAFF, the federation is determined to continue its recruitment push. With several high-profile signings already secured and more on the horizon, the SAFF is confident that it can still achieve its goals and help to improve the quality of football in Saudi Arabia.