BRUSSELS (AP) 鈥 Belgium midfielder Yannick Carrasco made light of the criticism of Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record on Thursday following his transfer to Al Shabab from Atletico Madrid.
Carrasco, who is training this week with the Belgian national team asked the staff to organize a news conference so he could explain the reasons behind his move.
Saudi Arabia's human rights record has come under heightened scrutiny as it has made , attracting some of the world鈥檚 top soccer stars and entering into a surprise merger with golf鈥檚 PGA Tour.
Activists accuse the country of trying to 鈥渟portswash鈥 a human rights record marred by its involvement in the war in neighboring Yemen, and , a Washington Post columnist and government critic.
Carrasco follows many stars from Europe鈥檚 top leagues who have headed to the lucrative Saudi league in recent months, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema.
Asked about the country鈥檚 human rights record, Carrasco said he disagrees with the criticism 鈥渂ecause people can sometimes think badly about things.鈥
鈥淐ristiano is there with his wife and has an ordinary life there,鈥 Carrasco said. 鈥淣eymar, Benzema, I went there myself. I see how women live there, and how people go about their lives. Honestly, it is a beautiful country. It is hard to judge if you only listen to what people say about it. You have to experience it yourself.鈥
Carrasco, who is 30, said he had only one year left on his contract with his Spanish team and the only concrete offer he received came from Al Shabab amid speculation he could also join Barcelona.
鈥淚 opted for security, looking at what I had and what I could get,鈥 he said. 鈥淚'm more near the end of my career than anything else.鈥
Al Shabab, where he should be playing alongside Ever Banega, said Carrasco has signed a contract until 2026. The club did not reveal financial details of the deal.
Carrasco was also asked whether he made the choice for money by leaving Europe.
鈥淚t's a profession,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hen you have an opportunity, you think twice.鈥
Carrasco, however, added he was happy at Atletico and in Europe, but that he decided to leave for his peace of mind.
鈥淚 spoke with Axel Witsel about his situation when he was in Dortmund in his final year of contract,鈥 Carrasco said. 鈥淎nd he told me he was thinking a lot, and was worried to get injured. As a consequence you don't play relaxed, or at 100%. It was the kind of feeling I had during the pre-season matches. Once the offer was on the table, security came first.鈥
Carrasco joined Atletico in 2015 from Monaco, winning the Spanish league title and the Europa League. He played 266 matches with the Spanish club, scoring 47 goals and delivering 35 assists. His stint with Atletico was interrupted during two seasons when he joined Chinese club Dalian Yifang before returning to Spain in 2020.
Carrasco, who has made 66 international appearances, became the second Belgium international to join the Saudi league after Jason Denayer signed with Al Fateh.
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