Kalidou Koulibaly, the captain of Senegal, has acknowledged that he went to Saudi Arabia for the money and to provide a better life for his family.
Last Monday, the 32-year-old signed a three-year contract to leave Chelsea of the Premier League for Al-Hilal of the Saudi league.
Koulibably is the most well-known footballer to have recently moved from the best leagues in Europe to the Middle East, and he has acknowledged that the money on offer lured him.
In an interview with Il Corriere dello Sport, he said;
“I won’t lie. I go to Saudi Arabia for the money. I can make sure that my whole family can live a good life, from my parents to my cousins,”.
“I will also be able to invest a lot in charity. We have already started building a clinic in the village where my parents grew up.”
“I am a Muslim, and I am coming to a country that is perfect for me. Mecca is close, and it will do me good, which is also very important. “
Players have begun to move to Saudi Arabia in large numbers because of the country’s incredible salaries.
After Cristiano Ronaldo switched from Manchester United to Al Nassr in January, current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has also moved from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad.
Additionally, Edouard Mendy just joined Al-Ahli in the Saudi top division, while N’Golo Kante last week switched from Chelsea to Al-Ittihad.
Premier League club Wolverhampton received a club-record fee for the transfer of Ruben Neves to Al Hilal on a three year deal for $60m. Hakim Ziyech is also linked to Al Nassr.
