Saudi stars 'hating every minute' of lucrative transfers and 'want to go home'

Saudi Arabia has poached some of the most talented players in world football, but many who made the lucrative switch are already having regrets, according to reports.

The Middle Eastern nation was the talk of the summer transfer window, with several high profile players signing huge-money deals with Saudi Pro League clubs.

The country is now thought to be focusing on adding Lionel Messi that to list and are preparing a loan offer in order to reignite the Argentine's rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Messi may think twice about taking up the challenge, following reports that a number of players and managers who 'want to go home'.

That's according to The Sun, who claimed back in October that Saudi Arabia is facing an 'embarrassing situation', with several stars who made the move now regretting their decision.

While some are said to be 'hating every minute', there escape routes could be blocked due to a 'big problem' with their contracts, which in many cases are two years.

In addition, game attendances are proving to be well below par compared with other leagues around the world.

Fabinho’s Al-Ittihad have the biggest following with 29,000 people flooding to their games, but in the 18-team league, only 11 of the clubs average under 5,000.

And earlier this month, another poor Saudi Pro League attendance was recorded when a shockingly low amount of people watched Al Wehda vs. Al Okhdood.

It was reported that just 575 people turned up to the £450 million, 62,000-capacity King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

FT: Al Wehda 2-0 Al Okhdood@ODuarte04🇨🇷 and Noor🇸🇦 win it for the hosts ✅#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/nZmO6z1oEO

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 9, 2023

To put that attendance into perspective, 1,842 fans attended Chasetown's 3-2 victory over Witton Albion in the eighth tier of English football.

In fact, several games in the seventh tier boasted attendance figures well over 1,000 last weekend.

Despite the woeful attendances in some of the clashes in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo is confident the league will be among the top five leagues in the future.

"We are much better and the Saudi league is getting better and the next year will be even better," he said.

"Step-by-step I think this league will be among the top five leagues in the world but they need time, players and infrastructure.

"But I believe that this country have amazing potential, they have amazing people and the league will be great in my opinion."