Steven Gerrard will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the first matchweek of the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League
Saudi Arabia are making bold statements on global football with top players from Europe, especially from the Premier League thronging into the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Financed by Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Saudi Pro League is now a choice destination for big-name footballers in Europe.
A front foot signing spree championed by heavy-spending clubs in the league have seen Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Firmino, Ruben Neves, all joining the league.
Two Liverpool midfield legends – Jordan Henderson and Fabinho – have already been linked with a move to the Saudi elite division with Steven Gerrard said to be a huge factor in Henderson’s imminent switch to Al Etiffaq.
Steven Gerrard was poached as manager to the Saudi Pro League joining Al Etiffaq as new manager.
It was widely speculated Steven Gerrard will pull the strings to recoup Jordan Henderson to Al Etiffaq after he became the club’s new manager.
Gradually, Henderson’s rumored Liverpool exit is materializing with reports the midfield veteran has agreed personal terms with the club to join Steven Gerrard, his former Liverpool teammate, now manager.
Recall Steven Gerrard previously turned down proposal from Saudi clubs while hoping to continue his elite coaching career in Europe. He was linked to PSG, Chelsea, and Tottenham managerial jobs.
Gerard’s switch to Al Etiffaq has been seen as a final resort after European offers were not forthcoming. However, the English football veteran will not be far from top level football given the number of high-profile footballers that have joined the Saudi Pro League this summer.
The influx of top players into the Saudi Pro League has been linked to the overarching influence of Cristiano Ronaldo after the footie icon completed a multi-million dollar move to Al Nassr last winter.
Steven Gerrard to face Ronaldo in first Saudi Pro League match
Interestingly, Steven Gerrard will clash with Cristiano Ronaldo in his first match as Al Etiffaq manager.
Gerard played against Cristiano Ronaldo while both played in the Premier League for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively but it will be a different ball game entirely as the two will meet on a different platform – one as a manager, the other as a player.
A lot is at stake for both teams going into the game. Al Nassr narrowly missed out on the Saudi Pro League title race last season, losing it at the dearth to Al Ittihad. Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping for a strong start to the 2023/24 campaign as he hopes to clinch the trophy that eluded his grasp last season.
On the other hand, Al Etiffaq are spending heavily in their bid to transform the team from a relegation-battling team to a title-contender.
Gerard will hope to kick off his reign with a convincing start to the season.
The match will kick off on August 14 at the 26,000-capacity Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium.
