Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal lobbed a €300 million bid to PSG to buy Mbappe.
👉 Background: Kylian Mbappe is one of the best soccer players in the world. He currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France.
👉 What happened: Mbappe recently revealed he would not renew his contract with PSG - with everyone in the football world expecting him to join Real Madrid. But then, Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal lobbed a €300 million bid to PSG to buy Mbappe. On top of this, they're willing to pay Mbappe €700 million for 12 months at the club.
👉 What else: This move is a part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to buy its way into international sports. And if it goes through, it'll make Mbappe the most expensive footballer in history.
💡Sports as a branding tool is not new, but we're witnessing it on a grand scale. Saudi Arabia's big moves in the sports arena are a strategic branding play.
💡It's pretty clear that Saudi Arabia is using its wealth to attract top-tier athletes and events. And it's hoping to improve its international image and its economy.
💡This tactic is an example of leveraging 'soft power' to influence perceptions and enhance reputation globally.
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