en.malanginspirasi.com – The fact about Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, is trending on X.
This is due to his candid interview in which he openly admitted that money played a major role in his summer 2026 transfer from Manchester City.
Tijjani Martinus Jan Reijnders left the Premier League after just one season as City paid around €55 million for him from AC Milan in 2025.
This 28-year-old player contributed 7 goals and helped win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Yet this man, who has Indonesian roots through his mother Angelina Lekatompessy (from Ambon, Maluku), had limited playing time in his preferred position.
It led him to seek a new challenge.
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In the interview with Dutch broadcaster SBS 6, Reijnders said:
“Of course money plays a role, otherwise you wouldn’t go there… After my career, I don’t want to work anymore. I didn’t need to after City either, but now I can put generations of my family in a good position… If my grandchildren can live off it, why wouldn’t I do it?”
Reports suggest the deal is worth around €100 million over five years (approximately €20 million net per year). He also emphasized that the move does not end a player’s career, pointing to others who have returned to Europe later.
Reijnders has started strongly in Saudi Arabia, scoring multiple goals early on, including a brace in one match, under manager Brendan Rodgers.
He has previously spoken proudly of his Indonesian heritage, even though he chose to represent the Netherlands as his younger brother Eliano plays for Indonesia.
