The Saudi Pro League is "determined to be a success" and will keep offering big money to attract some of the top names in football, according to one of its top executives.
Global stars like Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane have followed in Cristiano Ronaldo´s footsteps by joining clubs in the oil-rich Gulf state.
Last month Al-Hilal made a massive 300-million-euro ($328 million) offer for Kylian Mbappe, though the Paris Saint-Germain star reportedly deciding against meeting with officials from the club.
The players continue to join the clubs despite frequent criticism that Saudi Arabia´s extravagant spending amounts to "sportswashing" — an attempt to shift the focus from its record on human rights.
Earlier, legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo said he is enjoying his time in Saudi Arabia and expects other top players to join him in the league.
Ronaldo had signed for Al Nassr towards the end of last year in a deal believed to be worth more than 200 million euros. He penned a contract which will take him to June 2025.
He notched up 14 goals in 16 games in his debut season but it could not help his side claim the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with Al Nassr finishing second behind Al Ittihad.
"We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but the infrastructure - they need to improve a little bit more. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker," Ronaldo said in an SPL interview.
"But I'm happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here."