Ten highest paid players in the Saudi Pro League Saudi Arabia 2023, by annual salary
The top three highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League earn over 85 million British pounds annually, with a significant drop in player salaries further down the ranking. Riyad Mahrez made roughly 40 million GBP less than Karim Benzema, who was just one slot ahead of him in the ranking. The four players with the lowest annual salary on the top ten list all made around 21 million GBP as of 2023.
Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League, officially known as the ROSHN Saudi League (RSL), has made some high-profile soccer signings in recent years, attracting players from premier football clubs around the world. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr, Neymar signed with Al Hilal, and Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad. These players previously played for Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Real Madrid, respectively. The ability to attract world-renowned players has also impacted the market value of Saudi Pro League clubs. Much like the salaries of the players themselves, the revenue of Saudi Pro League clubs also heavily favors the top three clubs, with Al Hilal in the lead in 2022.
Saudi Arabia is opening up
Saudi Arabia is expanding its entertainment, sports, and media sectors to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels. Through the Vision 2030 initiative, the country is making significant investments in these areas to create a more varied economic landscape. Projects like NEOM, a planned futuristic city, and the Red Sea Project, a luxury tourism destination, are central to this strategy. NEOM was awarded the highest construction contracts in Saudi Arabia in 2022, valuing to about 500 billion U.S. dollars. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has hosted international events, such as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Diriyah E-Prix, aiming to increase its global presence in sports. Sports generated about 21 percent of the country’s event management revenue in 2022. The establishment of the General Entertainment Authority in 2016 has led to a rise in concerts, festivals, and other entertainment events, promoting both domestic and international tourism. These efforts are intended to create job opportunities and attract foreign investment, contributing to a more sustainable and diverse economic future.
