English striker Ivan Toni, star of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, has announced his firm decision to remain with the club, confirming that his ambition to win championships with the team outweighs any tempting offers from Europe. Toni's statements put an end to speculation linking him with a return to Europe and underscore the strength of the sporting project underway in the Saudi Professional League.
In an exclusive interview with MBC Action, Tony revealed that he had received numerous offers from prestigious European clubs recently, but he chose to continue his adventure in Saudi Arabia. He said, "I received many European offers, but I preferred to stay with Al-Ahli to compete for titles." He added definitively, "My goal is to win every possible championship with Al-Ahli, and that's why I decided to stay and not move abroad.".
Background of the transfer and its impact on the Saudi League
Toni's decision is further evidence of the significant transformation underway in Saudi Arabian football. Following a remarkable career in English football, particularly with Brentford in the Premier League where he established himself as a top scorer, Toni's move to Al-Ahli last summer was a major coup. His arrival, alongside other international stars like Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Allan Saint-Maximin, formed part of Al-Ahli's strategy to return to the top of the league after their promotion back to the Saudi Professional League.
The importance of the decision locally and internationally
Domestically, Tony's decision to stay represents a huge morale boost for Al-Ahli and its fans. The English striker is not just performing well; he currently tops the Saudi Professional League scoring charts with 19 goals after 21 rounds, making him the team's most important weapon in its quest to compete for the league title and other championships. His decision reflects his confidence in the team's ability to achieve success and sends a strong message to rivals that Al-Ahli possesses stability and great ambition.
At both the regional and international levels, the decision of a player at the peak of his career like Ivan Toni to choose to remain in the Saudi League over returning to Europe reinforces the Roshan League's status as an attractive destination for stars, not only at the end of their careers but also for players capable of performing at the highest levels in the world's top leagues. This decision helps to change the stereotypical image and confirms that the Saudi sports project is capable of competing and retaining its most valuable human resources, thus increasing the league's strength and competitiveness on the global stage.
