French Footballer Lina Boussaha Pioneers Move to Saudi Women’s League

Trained at PSG, Line Boussaha has left France for Saudi Arabia. She is the first French woman to play in the Saudi women’s championship. At the age of 24, the footballer is delighted. "It’s a pride [...] to be the first to discover a championship, it may open the way for other profiles like me, players who wear the veil or not. Profiles who feel comfortable in a country like Saudi Arabia," she had said on RMC Sport.

She says she is happy to evolve in an environment in line with her religious beliefs. "Before, I prioritized football a lot over my family, religion, other things in life. During my injury, I realized that my priority had to be religion, I felt more at peace that way. I decided to wear the veil. And in wearing it, I knew that doors would close, including that of football, of evolving in Europe, of living my dream in England or other goals. But from the moment I prioritized my religion, the rest mattered little to me."

In addition to a championship that allows her to wear the veil, Lina Boussaha is also better paid than in France (an average of 3,000 euros in Saudi Arabia compared to 2,500 euros in D1). Even if the Saudi championship seems less intense than in Europe, the player intends to work hard. "I remain competitive in my head and these are high goals," she says.