Ivory Coast and Al Ahli star Franck Kessié: ‘We did not come to Saudi Arabia just for the salaries’

Kessié: Photo Credit: Al-Ahli media.

Another African star has dismissed claims that his move to the Saudi Pro League was motivated purely by money, with Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié the latest to defend choosing Saudi Arabia over Europe.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy was among the first to justify his decision to flee from what is considered the world's best football league, the Premier League, for the Gulf region.

The goalkeeper left the Blues in 2023 to join Al-Ahli SC in Saudi Arabia. The move – along with those of several other African stars – surprised many fans, with some suggesting that financial incentives were the primary motivation.

Now Ivorian Franck Kessié has leapt to his defence over his move to Al-Ahli SC, after leaving Barcelona a few years ago. The midfielder was reacting to the latest reports linking him with a switch to AS Roma this July transfer window.

Interviewed by Supersport TV, during the presentation of his second book, the former Milan player spoke about both the season just ended and his possible future.

“Next season, we will aim even higher. There is the league, the National Cup and the Super Cup. I still have a contract for another season. After that, we will see… but as long as I play, I want to leave my mark," he said.

“Honestly, I am very proud. We gave our club its first Asian Champions League. It is historic! We built a great team with big names like Riyad Mahrez, Mendy, Demiral, Ibanez… and we did it seriously.”

“We did not come to Saudi Arabia just for the salaries. We came to win, to leave our mark. And that is what we did.”

Kessié echoed Mendy's remarks that he left Chelsea two seasons after winning the 2021 UEFA Champions League in pursuit of more silverware, as the Blues did not stand a chance of winning more trophies.

However, Enzo Maresca's side went on to win the 2025 UEFA Conference League with a new-look side.