Brazilian clubs turn to the “Arab world” in search of money

After spending at least two decades losing players to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Brazilian clubs are now knocking on the doors of the “Arab world” to try to keep their best players here and build better teams.

At least three important Brazilian teams have held meetings in recent months with investors from the Middle East and discussed the possibility of selling it to them (Sociedades Anonymous) football).

Many other smaller clubs, operating in the lower echelons of the national scene or even competing only in state championships, are also looking for Arab sheikhs, lords or funds who would like to own teams in the country that has won the world championship five times.

The search for petrodollars has a very straightforward explanation. Although there is no such tradition on the international scene, today the Middle East is one of the biggest investors in world football.

The royal family of Abu Dhabi (UAE) owns Manchester City FC and nine other clubs spread over four continents. Paris Saint-Germain is in the hands of the government of Qatar, the host country for the upcoming World Cup. Newcastle is owned by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

Only City Group has actually spoken to two famous clubs in Brazil. At the end of last year, met with the Board of Directors Atletico MG And it raised the possibility of paying R$1 billion for the controlling stake of the current national champion.

Leader owners Premier League They also negotiated with Bahia. Although they are currently in the second division, the group considers the Northeast team to be a model management and a great business opportunity.

Already Atlético PRthe current champion of Cuba Sudamericana, last month sent a delegation to Dubai (also in the UAE) to try to sell his SAF project to an investor there.

a Rafael Reis’ Blog I also found that two small teams, one from within the state of Minas Gerais and the other from the state of São Paulo, have been in advanced talks with investors from the Middle East.

Many others are in the “money prospecting” stage. In other words, they are mapping out wealthy business/conglomerates around the world (mostly in Arab countries) who might be interested in getting into Brazilian football to send them an offer and try to negotiate.

Of the 12 clubs traditionally called “big clubs” in Brazilian football, only two have so far been traded with foreign investors. owner Botafogo He is the American John Textor. Already Vasco He belongs to the investment fund 777 Partners, also from the United States.

a Sea trip It is another traditional force of the national scene that has become the SAF. But the outsourcing agreement for the football department was signed with Brazilian businessman Ronaldo Phenomeno. The deal still needs to be confirmed by the former striker of choice to become effective.