Ex-Man Utd star's contract torn up after just 13 months in Saudi Pro League

One Saudi Pro League star has had their contract torn up after just one season.

Paris Saint-Germain v Al-Nassr - Pre-Season Friendly

Alex Telles' contract with Al Nassr has been terminated. (Image: Getty)

One ex-Manchester United star has had their lucrative Saudi Pro League contract torn up just over a year since making the move to the Middle Eastern nation.

Alex Telles made the move to Saudi outfit Al-Nassr last summer, following in the footsteps of former United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, but his time with the club has already come to an end.

That’s because, as per Fabrizio Romano, Telles’ contract with Al-Nassr has been terminated with immediate effect.

While by no means the best-paid player in Saudi Arabia, Telles was banking a hefty £134,000 per week, according to Capology - an annual salary which works out to just under £7million.

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The likelihood is Telles’ next club - be that in Europe, his native Brazil or elsewhere - won’t be anywhere near the same wages the 31-year-old was earning in Saudi Arabia.

The details of his Al-Nassr exit aren’t yet known, but it comes after ex-Premier League stars who made the switch to Saudi Arabia voiced concerns about the league and its quality.

Speaking in January 2024, former Manchester City ace Aymeric Laporte told AS: “It's a big change compared to Europe, but in the end it's all adaptation.

“They haven't made it easy for us. In fact, there are many players who are dissatisfied, but hey; We are working on it every day, negotiating so to speak, and seeing if it improves a little because this is something new for them too, having European players who already have a long career.

Melbourne Victory v Manchester United

Alex Telles left Man United in the summer of 2023. (Image: Getty)

“Maybe they are not used to this and have to adapt to a little more seriousness.”

And on the quality of life in Saudi Arabia, Laporte said: “No, let's see. At the moment, I haven't thought about it, but if I'm disappointed in such a short time, you wonder what to do.

“That moment has not yet arrived, but in the future it could be if this dynamic continues.

“To be honest, many of us have also come here not only for football. Many of us are happy with that, but I am also looking for something beyond that is not the economic part and such.

“In terms of quality of life, I expected something different because in the end here you spend three hours a day in the car. Riyadh is a waste of traffic, of time wasted in the car.”

The 2024/25 Saudi Pro League got underway in mid-August and runs until early May 2025.

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