Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has offered a candid assessment of modern football, asserting that the sport is fundamentally a business. Sagna, who also represented France internationally, believes this understanding is crucial for leagues to thrive, particularly highlighting the challenges faced by France’s Ligue 1.
While French academies consistently produce talented players, such as Ayyoub Bouaddi and Rayan Cherki, Sagna argues that this alone is not enough to attract significant commercial investment. He points out that Ligue 1 struggles to secure major sponsors without the presence of globally recognised stars like Lionel Messi or Neymar.
Sagna cited the profound impact of star players on viewership and sponsorship. He noted how Lionel Messi’s arrival significantly boosted interest in Major League Soccer (MLS) and how Kylian Mbappé’s presence, alongside Neymar, dramatically increased Ligue 1’s global viewership. According to Sagna, fans from as far as Colombia tuned in to watch the French league because of these high-profile individuals.
The former defender expressed disappointment over fans whistling players like Neymar during their time in Ligue 1. Sagna views this reaction as a lack of understanding of the business aspect of football, suggesting that such actions could hasten the departure of valuable assets and diminish the league’s appeal.
Sagna contrasted Ligue 1’s situation with the sustained success of Real Madrid, attributing it to President Florentino Perez’s keen understanding of global appeal. Perez’s strategy of acquiring ‘Galácticos’ – a collection of celebrity players – has ensured Real Madrid’s status as a global powerhouse, generating immense revenue and maintaining widespread interest across continents.
For Sagna, the modern game demands a dual perspective: a love for football combined with a sharp business acumen. He suggests that without embracing this commercial reality, leagues risk losing out on crucial investment and global visibility, despite their ability to develop exceptional talent.