The perception of football players moving to the United States or the Saudi Pro League has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once considered the final stop for aging stars, these leagues are now attracting elite players still in their prime—and they continue to thrive on the international stage.
When David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007, England manager Fabio Capello famously told him he needed to return to top-tier European football to stay in contention for the national team. At that time, a move away from Europe’s major leagues often meant the end of serious international aspirations.
Today, that narrative has changed. South Korean forward Heung-min Son recently signed with MLS side Los Angeles FC, while Uruguay striker Darwin Núñez left Liverpool to join Saudi giants Al-Hilal. Both remain pivotal figures for their national teams and are expected to feature in the next FIFA World Cup.
Superstars Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr have proven that a shift to MLS or the Saudi Pro League doesn’t spell the end of competitive careers. Ronaldo, who has scored 20 goals in his last 25 appearances for Portugal, led his team to a UEFA Nations League title this June. Alongside him, players like João Félix and Ruben Neves—both competing in Saudi Arabia—continue to excel for Portugal.
Saudi Arabia’s league is becoming a magnet for global talent. Al-Hilal boasts Theo Hernandez and Ruben Neves, Al-Ettifaq has Georginio Wijnaldum, Al-Fayha features Chris Smalling, and Al-Ittihad fields Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté. Meanwhile, MLS teams like Inter Miami have assembled squads with Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League is already among the world’s top five competitions, and with the influx of star players, the standard of play continues to rise. The record-breaking salaries—Ronaldo reportedly earns $250 million per year—add to the league’s allure, making it a legitimate alternative to Europe’s elite competitions.
What was once a step away from top-level football is now an exciting career move, proving that MLS and the Saudi Pro League are no longer retirement destinations but thriving stages for some of the game’s biggest stars.