Aurelio De Laurentiis, the renowned film producer and owner of Italian club Napoli, praised the radical transformations and qualitative leaps taking place in Saudi Arabia in the sports and investment sectors. This came during his visit to Riyadh, the capital city hosting the Italian Super Cup, where he affirmed that the Kingdom has become a preferred global destination for sports decision-makers and stars alike.
The Italian Super Cup in Riyadh: More than just a match
De Laurentiis' visit to Riyadh coincides with the Kingdom's hosting of the Italian Super Cup, an event that reflects the depth of the sporting partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia. This hosting is part of a broader national strategy aimed at making the Kingdom a global hub for major sporting events, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. In recent years, the Kingdom has successfully attracted world-class championships in football, Formula 1, and boxing, drawing the attention of major global investors, including the owner of Napoli.
Impressed by Saudi development
In press statements on the sidelines of the tournament, De Laurentiis expressed his deep admiration for what he had seen in Riyadh, noting that this was his second visit and that his impressions were becoming more positive with each visit. He said, "Saudi Arabia is a wonderful country, and I love being here. I could live and work here. Everything is special, and I am very happy to be in Riyadh." He added enthusiastically, "I am captivated by Saudi Arabia, and every visit makes me admire it even more… Long live Saudi Arabia, and long live Italy!".
Sports investment: Will De Laurentiis acquire a Saudi club?
Regarding the possibility of entering the Saudi sports investment market, which recently opened its doors to privatization and foreign investment, De Laurentiis explained that he is open to the idea, but pointed to his current commitments. He said, "Saudi Arabia has opened its doors strongly to investors, but I am currently committed to managing the Napoli and Bari clubs in Italy, and I am looking for a partner to support me in managing them in the future.".
Why did he choose Al-Nassr? The influence of Cristiano Ronaldo
When asked which Saudi club he might consider investing in in the future, De Laurentiis didn't hesitate to mention Al-Nassr, citing the presence of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo. He stated, "I don't know all the Saudi clubs well enough, but perhaps the club where Cristiano Ronaldo played, which is Al-Nassr.".
This statement reflects the immense impact of Ronaldo's transfer to the Saudi league, which extended beyond the technical aspects to become a marketing tool and a soft power that drew global attention and investment to the Saudi league. De Laurentiis described the Portuguese star, saying, "Ronaldo is the best, number one in every possible respect, and I consider him the best player in the history of football.".
The future of sports relations
The statements of the owner of Napoli confirm that the Saudi League is no longer just a stop for players, but has become an attractive environment for direct foreign investment in clubs, which enhances the Kingdom’s position as a rising sporting power on the international map, capable of attracting major European administrative expertise.
