When Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr at the beginning of 2023, the internet broke. The whole footballing world (and beyond) was talking about the Saudi football league, and the interest (and conversation) has continued to steadily grow ever since. It seems only fitting then that Netflix is releasing a new documentary series, Saudi Pro League: Kickoff, showcasing football in the Kingdom with more access than it has ever had before.
Dropping on the streaming platform on November 21, 2024 – the snappy six-part Saudi Pro League: Kickoff series delves into the journey of five Saudi football clubs, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, and Al Etiffaq – as they compete in the most-viewed season in the league’s history.
Not only does the series showcase a deep dive into the flashy, cash-rich world of the Saudi Pro League football that the tabloids love to talk about, but also the real and human elements of the league’s local and international superstar players, and the clubs’ fanbase.
The series features an impressive list of star power, including Neymar Jr., Karim Benzema, Steven Gerrard, and the aforementioned Cristiano Ronaldo.
Through this docu-series, Netflix promises to peel back the layers, presenting exclusive interviews with players, charismatic quips from commentators, and manager musings, alongside highlights from the 2023/2024 season.
While most documentaries get bogged down with stats and jargon that would make your average Sunday league player’s eyes glaze over, Saudi Pro League: Kickoff aims for more dramatic flair. The five teams offer exclusive access into their season as they grapple and glide over grass for the league’s bragging rights. Expect to see Al-Ettifaq’s manager Steven Gerrard trying to keep it cool, while local Saudi superstars Salem Al-Dawsari, Feras Al-Buraikan, Talal Haji, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb lend flavour to the spectacle.
Following the successes of Netflix shows Drive to Survive, Quarterbacks and Full Swing, this series is a clever move by the streaming platform to deepen its involvement with clever documentary-style showcasing of international sports.
For the armchair analysts and critics, the allure lies not just in seeing some of the world’s most recognisable footballers lace up their boots again, but in pondering the spectacle’s broader socio-economic implications. Though, of course, don’t expect the series to critique too closely the geopolitical subtext of international sports affiliations.
And yes, this all leaves one dangling question: might the World’s Most Interesting League make itself known in the Middle Eastern streaming markets, where local viewers may see their national heroes on Netflix’s global stage? Alas, the streamer’s agenda remains closely guarded, leaving room for further speculation about whether this docu-drama will be accessible to Saudi football enthusiasts or remain a jewel for Western audiences longing for exotic sporting escapades.
While Netflix gives us glitzy sports and star-studded storytelling, the possibility of these stories influencing or resonating closely with Middle Eastern audiences is more ambiguous. For now, let’s just enjoy the ball being kicked about, air our doubts, and possibly pretend we care more about market strategies than we do follow-up volleys.