Under the Saudi sun, a wave of escape is brewing. In just six months, three European football superstars have expressed their desire to say goodbye to the desert, and although their annual salaries are as high as 200 million euros, they cannot find the happiness they once had.
First up was former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. Having left Anfield, Henderson joined the Dammam Collaboration, coached by Steven Gerrard. However, the hot and dry climate of Saudi Arabia became a nightmare for the father of three. Henderson has to admit that he regrets leaving the Premier League and is eager to get back to the familiar grassy fields of England.
Former Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino, who is also in Saudi Arabia, has followed in Henderson's footsteps. Last summer, Firmino joined Jeddah National with an annual salary of 20 million euros and signed a contract until 2026. Despite his explosive debut and hat-trick to get fans pumping, Roberto Firmino then fell into a slump of form. It is reported that he has difficulty adapting to the life and environment in Saudi Arabia, which has a certain impact on his poor performance.
And Real Madrid striker Benzema, who joined Jeddah United, although his annual salary is as high as 200 million euros, is not happy at all. Compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema is completely unworthy of such a high salary. His performances on the pitch were sluggish, he had conflicts with the manager, and even left the team without permission. Former Paris Saint-Germain star Raqué bluntly said that Benzema "regretted" choosing to come to Saudi Arabia and did not feel happy, dignified and loved at Jeddah United. The superstar, who originally wanted to end his career at Real Madrid, is now in a state of chaos.
Saudi Arabia compared Benzema to Cristiano Ronaldo, pointing out that Ronaldo has shown extraordinary professionalism after playing in Saudi Arabia. Benzema, on the other hand, is considered to have mishandled the relationship between fans and the club, losing his love and desire for football. Fans were dissatisfied with his performance, which even led to Benzema canceling his social ** account and disappearing into Jeddah.
According to the top 10 list of total football revenue in 2023 released by the German transfer market, Ronaldo ranks with 2With 3.5 billion euros, Benzema is in first place, while Benzema is fifth with only 96 million euros. In response to this comparison, Saudi Arabia Al-Riyadiya pointed out that Benzema's relationship with fans and clubs was not handled well, and "he seems to have lost his love and desire for football".
Benzema's "play missing" caused even more dissatisfaction among fans and **. While there may be problems at the club, that's not a reason for Benzema to mess around and not make an effort. There is a general belief among fans that he should be more active in the game instead of avoiding training and performing negatively.
Looking back at the Saudi league, former Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino lost his position as the main centre-forward under the pressure of Saudi striker Buraikan. Despite his debut hat-trick, Firmino's goal tally has not grown. Analysts believe he is not a high-profile player, and that life and competition in Saudi Arabia may have had a negative impact on his adaptation.
Firmino's performance in Saudi Arabia has also sparked concern among fans and professional commentators. Although his goal tally fell short of expectations, his performances in the Saudi league are still highly anticipated. Fans believe that the trident he formed with Mahrez and St. Maximin is enough to kill all sides in the Asian arena.
However, Firmino's plight is not an isolated case, but rather a test of the Saudi league's European stars. A high salary does not compensate for the discomfort of a living and professional environment. The departure of the three stars may be a reminder that those chasing money should also focus on the quality of their careers and personal well-being.
In this wave of escape, fans and ** are expecting these superstars to find their own happiness and home. The light on the football field should be accompanied by laughter and passion, not lost and helpless in the desert of a foreign land. This farce of "fleeing Saudi Arabia" may make us reflect on the fact that football superstars need to find a piece of football paradise that truly belongs to them in addition to money.