and Anthony Joshua in 2019, launched the prestigious LIV Golf championship, and made headlines with the acquisition of English Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021, orchestrated by a three-party consortium. Saudi Arabia hosted the world heavyweight boxing championship bout between Andy Ruiz Jr.

This endeavour is just one among a series of high-profile sports-related developments in the region.

And so this is the Saudi Arabian government attempting to meet the needs of this millennial and Generation Z community,'' said Chadwick. They want to spend their time doing interesting, exciting things. 70% of the Saudi Arabian population is aged under the 35. But I also think there's something sociocultural about this, too. They want to use football as a means through which to engage in diplomacy with countries around the world. French striker Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid amid reports of move to Saudi ArabiaĪdditionally, he highlights the political and socio-cultural motives behind this pursuit.Lionel Messi's father denies Saudi Arabia move.

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