There were smiles all around as renowned football player Karim Benzema bade farewell to his beloved team. Benzema said: "I had a dream. And that was to sign for Real Madrid and end my career at Real Madrid."

Only the first part of his dream came true. Benzema has signed a new contract with the Saudi ArabianThe second-largest country in the Arab world, with a population of nearly 35 million. team Al-Ittihad. He will earn around £96m per year - almost four times his £24m salary at Real Madrid.

Saudi Arabia is not usually regarded as a sporting superpower. But it has been slowly muscling in. In 2021, the country's de factoSomething that happens in practice, in contrast to that which happens de jure, or according to the law. ruler Mohamed Bin Salman bought English club Newcastle United. Last year it founded its own golf league, aiming to rival the long-established Professional Golfers' Association.¹

Now, it is seeking to bolster its own football teams by recruiting icons in the twilight of their careers. Benzema is not the biggest catch. In December, Saudi team Al Nassr netted Cristiano RonaldoA Portuguese football player, known as one of the best in the world. for £177m a year.² And many other top players - including Luka Modric, Neymar, Hugo Lloris and Pepe - have been earmarkedSet aside for a particular purpose. for a Saudi move.

For some fans, these deals are a sign that money has taken over. Traditionally, football was rooted in urban communities. Teams comprised local players and were supported by a local fanbase. Money was sparse. Switching team was almost sacrilegeTreating something holy or important disrespectfully..

This all changed in the 1990s. England's 20 best teams formed the Premier LeagueEngland's highest level of men's football. . They started broadcasting it around the world. For the biggest sides, this led to huge international fanbases. Teams elsewhere began to follow their model.

Owning a football team became a mark of prestigeRespect or admiration given to something.. Billionaires bought teams and spent vast sums on star players and glittering stadiums. To make the money back, they increased ticket and merchandise prices. This process has alienatedFeeling isolated or no longer supported. many long-term fans.

Some also see money as having a distorting influence on the game itself. Manchester City is owned by the president of the United Arab EmiratesA country in the Middle East, and the location of Dubai. ' brother, who has an estimated net worthThe amount of assets or money that a person has after their debts have been taken away. of £17bn. Is it any wonder the team has won the Premier League three years in a row?

Football administrators also seem to love money. Former FifaThe Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football. chief head Sepp Blatter once said: "Fifa cannot sit by and see greed rule the football world. Nor shall we." He was later fired for corruptionWhen someone abuses their power for personal gain. It often involves bribery. and taking giant bonuses.³

Yet others believe there is still something else in sport. For Saudi Arabia, it is about power and reputation. Its rulers stand accused of human rights abuses. By hosting major tournaments and players, they aim to improve their international standing. Critics call this "sportswashing".

Others point out that the superstar players and oligarchAfter the collapse of the Soviet Union, most of the country's economy fell into the hands of corrupt businessmen who became known as oligarchs. owners are a tiny minority. Many American footballers, says writer Jacob Harris, "end up broke and broken". A recent survey of 500 elite athletes found that 60% did not see themselves as financially stable. One OlympicRelating to the Olympic Games, which take place every four years. gold-winning rower said she earns $2,000 (£1,600) a month. For many, sport is about everything but the money.

Yes: Sport is yet another way for the rich to get richer. As commentator Simon Heffer writes: "Football is not, in my view, a sport: it is somewhere between a business racket and a mental illness."

No: Sport is more popular than ever. In 2020, 45.4% of Europeans played sport once a week. A record 1.5bn people watched last year's World Cup final. Few of these people are in it for the money.

Or... Former player Gary Neville says: "Football is a representation of current society. We have an elite. But we also have clubs that need food banks." Sport is simply a reflection of the world.