Video: Sami Al-Jaber Says More Foreign Players Could Kill Saudi Talent

What’s at stake

Sami Al-Jaber, the former Al Hilal and Saudi football legend, said that boosting the foreign player cap in the Saudi Pro League to ten players next season would be a fatal blow to Saudi talent.

Abdulrahman Al-Humaidi revealed on his show Nadina that a plan to raise foreigners to ten players is reportedly 90 percent likely to go ahead, replacing the current eight.

Sami Al-Jaber's take

Al-Jaber told the program that if this happens, it would be deadly for the Saudi player and would significantly affect the national team.

He added that Saudi players today fight for their places amid stiff competition with foreign stars, so any increase will make life harder for homegrown players and the national team.

He even compared the situation with Europe, noting Liverpool's recent match had only one English player on the field, yet things here feel different.

Above all, he said any decision should rest on thorough studies and workshops to understand how to benefit from it.

And for a dash of humor: if the league keeps growing international, even the ball might need a passport.

Or perhaps the coach will start giving subtitles on the sidelines: 'Translation: win with the locals'.