Messi, Benzema, and More: 5 Champions League Winners Who Left Europe This Summer

Because of the rise of the Main League Soccer (MLS) and the Saudi Professional League (SPL), increasingly footballers are selecting to depart behind the attract of the Champions League. These leagues assure a good-looking payday and don’t stifle one with competitions, which is good for gamers who’ve lived by the highs and lows of European soccer.

In the present day, we are going to check out 5 superstars who is not going to take part in Europe’s most elite competitors, the UEFA Champions League within the 2023-24 season. Listed below are 5 Champions League winners who’ve left the continent this summer season:

#5 Riyad Mahrez – Manchester Metropolis to Al-Ahli

Beautiful soccer followers throughout the globe, Algerian famous person Riyad Mahrez left Premier League and Champions League holders Manchester Metropolis to affix Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Ahli on July 28. The Cityzens have earned a reported $38.3 million payment from the winger’s sale and are but to herald a substitute.

Mahrez, who has 5 Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy to his title, has grow to be one of many highest-paid gamers on the planet following his transfer to the desert. Based on 90min, Mahrez will earn about $57.09 million per yr throughout his two-year stint with Al-Ahli, which is equal to about $1.1 million per week.

Earlier than bidding Europe goodbye, Mahrez featured in 55 Champions League matches, scoring 20 occasions and claiming 16 assists.

#4 N’Golo Kante — Chelsea to Al-Ittihad

Chelsea legend N’Golo Kante shunned signing a contract extension with Chelsea earlier this summer season, paving the way in which for his Saudi departure. Two-time Premier League winner Kante, who helped the Blues to the Champions League trophy in 2021, moved to Al-Ittihad as a free agent on July 1 after his contract expired at Stamford Bridge.

The 32-year-old, who claimed two assists in 31 Champions League video games for the Pensioners, is ready to earn a good-looking wage at Al-Ittihad. As per 90min, he’ll get $27.28 million/yr in Saudi throughout his four-year keep, which is round $7.6 million/yr greater than his last-drawn Chelsea wage.

#3 Sadio Mane — Bayern Munich to Al-Nassr

Saudi Professional League aspect Al-Nassr shook the world once they signed Cristiano Ronaldo in January, handing him a $224 million/yr contract and making him the highest-paid participant in historical past. They’ve struck massive once more, this time signing 2019 Champions League winner Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich.

Sadio Mane, who spent solely a season at Bayern after his ill-fated swap from Liverpool in July 2022, was formally unveiled as an Al-Nassr participant on Tuesday (August 3). The previous Reds star, who has scored 27 Champions League targets in 64 video games, has agreed a three-year-deal with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. As per 90min, he’ll earn round $43 million/yr or $823,600/week in Saudi Arabia.

#2 Karim Benzema — Actual Madrid to Al-Ittihad

Actual Madrid legend Karim Benzema closed his European chapter after the tip of the 2022-23 season, greenlighting a transfer to Saudi Professional League aspect Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman, who received a whopping 5 UEFA Champions League trophies with Actual Madrid, has signed a three-year deal and is ready to earn an eye-popping $217.9 million/yr throughout his stint (through 90min).

Ballon d’Or holder Benzema is without doubt one of the best strikers of this era. The previous Los Blancos quantity 9 is the fourth-highest goalscorer in Champions League historical past, with him recording 90 targets in 152 appearances.

#1 Lionel Messi — Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami

Based on sources, Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Hilal tabled a $1 billion+ supply to deliver Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia this summer season. The Barcelona legend nonetheless turned them down, becoming a member of David Beckham-owned Inter Miami as a substitute.

Messi, who has received 12 league titles and 4 Champions League trophies, has signed a two-and-a-half-year cope with Miami. He’ll earn round $54 million/yr, making him the best earner in MLS historical past.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has left Europe because the second-leading scorer within the Champions League. Between Barcelona and PSG, the 36-year-old performed 163 matches and scored 129 targets.