
<p>LaLiga announced a partnership with Visit Saudi, the Saudi Arabian tourism board. Visit Saudi is a familiar sponsor among soccer fans. The tourism board <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/psg-suspends-messi-after-skipping-training-to-visit-saudi-arabia-20230502-WST-431439.html">sponsors Lionel Messi</a>, but it <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/saudi-arabia-to-sponsor-womens-world-cup-raises-questions-20230130-WST-417654.html">made headlines</a> for its relationship with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup</a>. </p>



<p>However, LaLiga announcing a partnership with Visit Saudi is both hypocritical and ironic. LaLiga, as well as other top leagues in Europe, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/list-of-footballers-signed-by-saudi-arabia-this-summer-20230728-WST-446173.html">lost several players to Saudi Arabia</a> due to better financial offerings. For example, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/karim-benzema-bids-farewell-to-real-madrid-after-14-years-20230604-WST-436009.html">Karim Benzema</a> departed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> to join Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.</p>



<p>Back in 2021, LaLiga President Javier Tebas said the Middle Eastern nation was using sports to clean its image.</p>



<p>“The Saudi Arabian government has a policy whereby they improve the image of the government through sport, whitewashing their image, and we all have a responsibility there,” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/sports/soccer/spain-soccer-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tebas said</a>. </p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/laliga-announces-visit-saudi-as-new-official-travel-destination-and-global-sponsor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official announcement</a> on the LaLiga website promotes Saudi Arabia as the most exciting, year-round destination.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="NO ONE can compete with Saudi Arabia! - Luis Garcia on the Pro League&apos;s impact on the market" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qR1lb3ra438?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>“This collaboration will amplify Visit Saudi’s work highlighting Saudi Arabia as the world’s fastest-growing destination, its rich and captivating cultural heritage, its diverse landscapes, and its role as a pivotal hub for unprecedented sporting and cultural interactions in today’s football landscape,” the statement read.</p>



<h2>LaLiga and Visit Saudi create awkward relationship</h2>



<p>LaLiga has put more of an influence on its reach in Saudi Arabia. Last season, the Supercopa de España saw <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-thrash-real-madrid-to-win-spanish-super-cup-20230115-WST-415628.html">Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Riyadh</a>. The LaLiga release also stated the Spanish top flight has a strong following in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, this relationship makes sense.</p>



<p>LaLiga ambassador and Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas says LaLiga can build on the development of sports in the region.</p>



<p>“The great development of sport and sporting events in Saudi Arabia represents a real boost to the attractiveness of the destination, adding to its cultural interest and amazing landscapes,” Casillas said.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


LaLiga brings on Visit Saudi as league's global sponsor

LaLiga announced a partnership with Visit Saudi, the Saudi Arabian tourism board. Visit Saudi is a familiar sponsor among soccer fans.

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Leagues: LaLiga

LaLiga brings on Visit Saudi as league's global sponsor