Saudi Arabia is the new bonanza for football stars past their prime. But for all the money floating about, UEFA president Aleksandr Ceferin is yet to be impressed.
Quoted by AP, Ceferin said: "No, no, no. I think that it's mainly a mistake for Saudi Arabian football. Why is that a problem for them? Because they should invest in academies, they should bring coaches, and they should develop their own players.'
"The system of buying the players that almost ended their career is not the system that develops football. It was a similar mistake in China when they all brought players who are at the end of their careers.
"Tell me one player who is top, top age and who starts his career and went to play in Saudi Arabia? But it's not about money only. Players want to win top competitions. And top competition is in Europe."
Asked whether it's a loss to see the likes of Ronaldo and Benzema go to the Middle, Ceferin said: "We didn't lose them. They still play football. At the end of their career some players go somewhere to earn some money."
More players are expected to end up in the Saudi Arabia league soon: a bunch of Chelsea footballers or the likes of Sadio Mane. They are also targeting top coaches, including one special.
