Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is looking at buying Atlético Madrid which fits with the country’s Vision 2030 plan to make its economy more diverse. This would make Saudi Arabia even bigger in world football adding to what they already own with Saudi clubs and Newcastle United.
- PIF wants to buy Atlético Madrid as part of their worldwide football plans
- The purchase fits with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to make the economy different
- PIF already owns parts of Saudi clubs and Newcastle United
Saudi PIF’s Growing Football Empire
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is thinking about buying Spanish football club Atlético Madrid. This move is part of a bigger plan to make Saudi Arabia more important in world football which goes along with Vision 2030 that wants to make money from things besides oil and gas. The PIF has already put money in the Saudi Pro League, buying 75% of four big clubs Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr and Al Ahli. They also own 85% of Newcastle United which shows how much they want to be involved in football.
Saudi PIF are considering a move to buy Atlético Madrid 🇪🇸 https://t.co/hhTeNY2u01
— All About SPL 🔔 🇸🇦 (@Saudifutbol)
July 24, 2025
Atlético Madrid’s Current Standing
Atlético Madrid who’s a big team in La Liga has Riyadh Air a Saudi airline as their sponsor which shows they already have connections with Saudi groups. If PIF buys the club it would make these connections stronger and give Saudi Arabia more power in European football. Atlético Madrid has been around for ages in Spanish football and usually does really good in La Liga.
Broader Implications for World Football
The PIF is putting money into lots of things to make Saudi Arabia a big sports center like getting to host the Club World Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Some people say they’re doing this to make the country look better internationally. They’ve spent more than £1 billion getting players from Europe to make the Saudi Pro League better and more popular. Teams like Al-Hilal are changing their managers to look better worldwide which shows how the league wants to get bigger and better.
