Seven former UEFA Champions League winners followed Cristiano Ronaldo‘s suit in 2023 to serve different Saudi Arabian outfits. 2023 truly was a year of European exodus. But are all European stars who move to Saudi in 2023 comfortable in the Middle East? For sure, they draw massive paychecks. However, a myriad of other factors are marring their tenures in the Saudi Pro League. It is quite likely that Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, and a few others may give up on their humongous salaries, triggering a reverse exodus to Europe and elsewhere.

Henderson who inked a $15.4 million deal reportedly wants out of Al Ettifaq. Meanwhile, Firmino is not content with his Al Ahli tenure, despite a $20 deal with the club. Well, certain sociocultural factors are also making their Saudi stay an unpleasant one.

The climate and culture are vastly different in the Middle East

Both Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino are struggling to raise the stakes. The playing stint aside, there are other unfriendly factors. A major upset is the extremely humid climate in the desert country. Having spent much of their careers in relatively cooler areas of Europe, it is no cakewalk to play in the scorching heat in the Middle East. The players’ families also don’t entertain outings in such humid weather.

Other than the climate, living in Saudi Arabia, means imbibing a totally different culture. The conservative and family-oriented Arab culture is indeed an alien one to players from Europe. Consider a simple example. Soccer players, like all athletes, fancy nightclub outings after dedicating much of their time and effort to the game. Can the same be seamlessly done in Saudi? Not really. There are barely any nightclubs in even the most commercially viable areas of the country. As players and individuals, there are few more reasons to call it quits.

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Further reasons for the likes of Jordan Henderson to call it a day

Culture and climate aside, the biggest worry for any soccer player will be to play in a half-filled stadium. Al Ettifaq’s home ground is no Anfield. In fact, no Saudi stadium is. The Pro League clubs have struggled to fill the stadium in every match. Save being half-filled, some matches register embarrassingly low attendances with less than 2,000 fans. For the Jordan Hendersons and Roberto Firminos who have delivered in jam-packed stadiums, playing in such empty venues could largely turn out to be an insult.

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Furthermore, the wives and partners of these players do not find Saudi Arabia a dream destination. Though the country has become increasingly aware of Women’s rights, their strict rules on dress code, among others have reportedly upset the WAGs. Some WAGS reportedly chose to stay in much more liberal Bahrain, close to Saudi Arabia. Therefore, at the moment, only their paycheck seems to be an attractive prospect. The ex-Liverpool stars are not having the time of their lives on and off the field. Hence, they, alongside others, are mulling a return to Europe.

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