Janice R. Andrews
While the Saudi Pro League has solidified its position as the biggest football league in the Middle East, the Qatar Stars League (QSL) lacks the star-studded rosters of that league. But there was a noticeable change this summer when a few well-known players relocated to Qatar, giving the league greater respect.
With its high-profile additions, Saudi Arabia has been grabbing attention, while Qatar is quietly creating a competitive football scene. Among the most important additions was Italy’s 31-year-old Marco Verratti, who is still in his peak and a huge coup for the league. Not all of the major names have joined the QSL this summer, though, like Verratti. In anticipation of the upcoming season, let’s examine five more unexpected additions that have given the league more star power.
1. Al-Duhail, Luis Alberto
When Spanish playmaker Luis Alberto joined Al-Duhail this summer after leaving Lazio, he made headlines. Although Alberto’s Premier League career with Liverpool was uneventful, he hit his stride in Serie A, where he spent eight seasons as a key member of Lazio.
During his seven most prosperous years at Rome, Alberto averaged over 40 games each season, establishing himself as a dependable and inventive midfield player. He was essential to Lazio’s domestic and European campaigns, and he was well-known for his extraordinary vision and playmaking skills.
Due to a sell-on provision in his Lazio transfer, his old club Liverpool received 50% of the completed £10 million transfer price for his move to Qatar. It is anticipated that Alberto’s arrival in the QSL would bolster Al-Duhail’s midfield and thrill supporters who are keen to witness his inventiveness in action.
2. Al Gharafa, Joselu
Joselu’s career has been quite the ride, bringing him from Spain to England and back again until his unexpected summertime relocation to Qatar. Joselu, who was well-known during his tenure at Newcastle United, where his work ethic was valued but his goal-scoring prowess was lacking, subsequently returned to La Liga to revive his career.
Joselu found himself on loan at Real Madrid for the 2023–24 season following five fruitful years in Spain. Joselu had a brief appearance in Los Blancos’ Champions League success after his spectacular goal-scoring helped the team win La Liga.
But after permanently signing him, Real Madrid quickly sold him to Al Gharafa in Qatar the very following day. With his transfer to Qatar, the erratic player—who has seen the highs and lows of European football—begins a new chapter in his career.
3. Al-Duhail, or Benjamin Bourigeaud
The arrival of French midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud, a Ligue 1 stalwart for many years, to Al-Duhail’s team is also noteworthy. During his seven seasons with Rennes, Bourigeaud made over 300 games and was an integral part of the midfield for the team. He laid the groundwork for a number of gifted players to succeed in Rennes, including Barcelona’s Raphinha and Jeremy Doku.
Bourigeaud’s choice to work with Al-Duhail benefits the team greatly by providing a plethora of leadership and expertise. The 2018 QSL season will include a lot of action from this versatile midfielder, who can play both attacking and defensive roles. For those who are not familiar with Ligue 1, Bourigeaud’s visit to Qatar may come as a surprise.
4. Al-Rayyan SC’s Mahmoud Trezeguet
Mahmoud Trezeguet’s lightning pace and ability for scoring crucial goals during his Premier League tenure will live on in the memories of Aston Villa supporters. The Egyptian winger, who goes by David Trezeguet because of his resemblance to the French football star, had a successful run with the Villains before joining Trabzonspor of Turkey.
Alongside Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet was an integral part of the Egyptian national squad, and his accomplishments in international competitions have brought him significant notoriety. He joined Al-Rayyan SC on loan this summer with the goal of turning around the team’s QSL results. His ability to score goals and quickness will make him a formidable attacker in the league.
The league will be even more intriguing if Trezeguet moves to Qatar, as supporters will be watching to see if he can continue his impressive performance in the Premier League and abroad.
5. Al Sadd, or Mohamed Camara
This summer, Al Sadd, one of the most successful teams in Qatar, made a significant addition when they signed midfielder Mohamed Camara, who has been rising through the ranks in European football. At Red Bull Salzburg, a team renowned for producing elite players like Sadio Mane and Dayot Upamecano, Camara initially gained notoriety.
Before heading to Monaco in Ligue 1, Camara played three seasons in Austria, where she was selected to the Austrian Bundesliga Team of the Year. With victories in the Africa Cup of Nations for both the U-17 and U-20 teams, the Malian international has also been a vital member of his country’s squad.
At the young age of 24, his move to Al Sadd is a major coup for the Qatari team. Camara, a midfielder with experience in both international and European games, is anticipated to contribute right away in the QSL.
The Growing Popularity of the Qatar Stars League
Although the QSL may not have the same level of celebrity as Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, the summer transfer window demonstrated that Qatar is starting to draw attention from well-known athletes. Luis Alberto, Joselu, Bourigeaud, Trezeguet, and Camara are just a few of the players that have joined the league, demonstrating its increasing aspiration to compete internationally.
The 2023–24 season will provide spectators in Qatar the chance to witness some of the best players in Europe in action, and as more players head eastward for the next phase of their careers, the QSL’s reputation will surely continue to grow. Who will be the next major celebrity to relocate to Qatar is the topic at hand. Time will tell.
