As you know, something really exciting is happening in the world of football! Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), affectionately known as “Big Paris” finally did it! On June 1, 2025, they won their first Champions League title, beating Inter Milan 5-0. This was no small feat, it was a big bang!
But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a story about a football club winning a trophy. This is a 2 billion euro gamble that has paid off, and it highlights the big ambitions of Middle East oil money in football.
The “Big Paris” Story: €2 Billion and a Dream Come True
Remember in 2011 when Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a Qatari giant, bought 70% of PSG’s shares? They spent 50 million euros, and owned the entire club by the next year. Their goal was? Turning this French team into a European football giant.
And they really did it! Over the past 14 years, QSI has spent over 2 billion euros on player transfers alone! We’re talking superstars like Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. These weren’t just big names; they increased PSG’s global recognition and made them a formidable team on the pitch.
This Champions League win isn’t just a matter of pride; it’s also a huge payday for QSI. Reportedly, they’ll earn over 200 million euros from UEFA prize money, TV deals and ticket sales. Money, money!
Beyond Paris: The Middle East’s football empire
PSG’s success is just a small glimpse of the huge investment in Middle Eastern football. Middle Eastern money isn’t just making a splash in Paris; it’s rewriting the rules of European football.
Take Manchester City, for example. In 2008, Abu Dhabi’s United Development Investment Group bought them. They transformed City from an average English club into a major force, winning multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023. City’s parent company, City Football Group, now owns a network of football clubs around the world – a true testament to their systematic approach.
Then comes Saudi Arabia. In 2021, their Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought English club Newcastle United. They have spent over $500 million on bringing in players, making Newcastle a strong contender quickly.
And it’s not just Europe. The PIF also bought a 75% stake in four of Saudi Arabia’s top clubs – Al-Hilal, Al-Nasr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli – in 2023. They are basically trying to make their domestic league a global spectacle, splurging on big names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Saudi Pro League revenues are projected to reach $800 million this season! Their goal? To become one of the top 10 leagues in the world.
Why So Much Football Fever? It’s More Than Just a Game
So, why are these Middle Eastern countries so interested in football? It goes deeper than just a love for the game.
According to Wu Xuesong, former CEO of Heya FC and a sports industry veteran, countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are using sports, especially football, as a key strategy for national transformation. They want to move away from being just oil-dependent economies to more diversified service-based economies.
Think about the 2022 Qatar World Cup. It cost $220 billion, but for Qatar it was about increasing its global recognition and accelerating its transformation.
Saudi Arabia has a similar vision with its “Vision 2030”. Football is a big part of it. Wu Xuesong explains that the PIF, not individual clubs, decides on player recruitment for the top Saudi teams. It’s a national strategy.
Saudi Arabia is also hosting the 2027 Asian Cup and has already won the 2034 FIFA World Cup! They are using these big events to polish their image, attract investment and develop their sports industry.
Wu Xuesong explains that these countries are basically turning top football clubs into “national strategic assets”. They are not just investors; they want to have a place at the negotiating table influencing strategy and the global story.
Football: The Middle East’s new economic engine
This massive investment in football is not just about trophies and prestige; it is creating real economic and social impact.
For example, the 2022 Qatar World Cup brought in around $2.2 billion in direct revenue for Qatar. And because of the World Cup’s brand impact, they are expecting an additional long-term economic benefit of $2.7 billion from 2023 to 2035!
PSG’s success has also boosted related Qatari businesses such as Qatar Airways and telecommunications companies. Qatar Airways signed a 70 million euro sponsorship deal with PSG in 2022, boosting their brand recognition and airline traffic. Qatar’s tourism sector is forecast to attract 4.9 million tourists in 2025, spurring new flights and routes.
In Saudi Arabia, the arrival of stars like Ronaldo and Benzema in 2023 immediately attracted broadcasters from over 50 countries, generating broadcast revenues of over 200 million euros. The Saudi Pro League saw over 2.5 million live viewers in the 2025 season! This football fever translates directly into tourism – 3 million of the 2.7 million international tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in 2023 were related to sporting events.
A report by SURJ Sports Investment estimates that the market value of Saudi Arabia’s sports industry could grow from $8 billion to $22.4 billion by 2030! They plan to create thousands of jobs and increase the contribution of sports to their national economy.
And let’s not forget the economic boost they will provide to the host countries where these investments are being made! For example, PSG contributed 243 million euros to the Paris economy in the 2023/2024 season, supported around 2,370 local jobs, and contributed 371 million euros to public finances.
Manchester City’s investment in East Manchester has transformed the area, not just with sports facilities but also with real estate and community development. And Newcastle’s acquisition has boosted local real estate and business confidence, with the club actively working with local businesses.
So, that’s the whole story. It’s not just about a football game; it’s a big strategy going on on a global stage. What do you think about this big change in the world of football?
