MLS and Saudi Pro League supply record World Cup players, fueling career‑move debate

More than 40 players from the Saudi Pro League and 45 from Major League Soccer were selected for the FIFA World Cup, showing that these so‑called “alt‑star” leagues are no longer peripheral. High‑profile stars such as Lionel Messi, who moved to Inter Miami, topped the tournament’s scoring chart with eight goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo continues to represent Saudi Arabia.

The influx has reignited discussion over whether moves to Saudi Arabia or the United States signal the end of a player’s elite career. Former German midfielder Toni Kroos called a recent transfer “Peinlich,” and England’s striker Ivan Toney, now playing in Saudi Arabia, said, “I play here often at 30 degrees and more and have gotten used to it.” Former players Karim Benzema and other veterans argue the leagues can act as development platforms rather than retirement havens.

Analysts note that while many of these players did not advance beyond the round of 16, the presence of Messi and a few others in later stages demonstrates that competitive performance at the World Cup is still possible from outside Europe’s traditional powerhouses.