I turned down Arsenal to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and I have no regrets

Gabri Veiga insisted that he made the right decision to snub the Premier League in favour of the Saudi Pro League. The 22-year-old midfielder was once heavily linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea before following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the Middle East.

Veiga, who joined Al-Ahli from Celta Vigo in a deal worth £34m last year, expressed no regrets in an interview with Spanish publication AS back in March. As quoted by Sport Witness, addressing the speculation and his decision-making process, Veiga said: "Everything that comes out is not true, unfortunately.

"The truth is that I leave all that in the hands of my representatives. I have full confidence in them. I was focused on finishing a dream season, which in the end got complicated, without being aware of any kind of rumour.

"Perhaps at some point there was a strong interest, but later on in the lists another type of profile gains more strength. But I can tell you that in August I was faced with a situation and I took the decision I thought was the right one."

Veiga added: "I'm 100 per cent sure that it was the right one. Everything that comes out is not true, unfortunately. The truth is that I leave all that in the hands of my representatives.

"I have full confidence in them. I was focused on finishing a dream season, which in the end got complicated, without being aware of any kind of rumour. Perhaps at some point there was a strong interest, but later on in the lists another type of profile gains more strength.

"But I can tell you that in August I was faced with a situation and I took the decision I thought was the right one. I'm 100 per cent sure that it was the right one."

Toni Kroos slammed the decision of players like Veiga moving to Saudi Arabia in their prime, labelling such transfers 'embarrassing' and hinting at the financial motivations over competitive football in a comment on a Fabrizio Romano Instagram post.

The former Real Madrid midfielder elaborated on his feelings in an interview with Sports Illustrated. He said: "Everyone has to make this decision for themselves, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to do so towards the end of his career.

"But it becomes very difficult when players who are in the middle of their careers and have the quality to play for top clubs in Europe decide to make such changes. And then it is said that they play ambitious football there - and it's all about the money.

"In the end it's a decision for the money – and against football. And from there it starts to get difficult for the football we all know and love."

Despite an impressive start to life in Saudi Arabia, Veiga has disappointed this season for Al-Ahli. The Spain Under-21 international, who sees his contract expire in 2026, has featured 10 times in the Saudi Pro League, scoring just three goals and only providing one assist.

Al-Ahli, who have also recently signed the likes of Riyahd Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney, are currently eighth in the Saudi Pro League table.

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