NEOM Sports Club appoints Alex Leitao as new CEO

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, November 3, 2024 – Following a successful start to the season, NEOM Sports Club has named Alex Leitao as its new chief executive officer. Formerly the CEO of Brazilian football team, Club Athletico Paranaense, Leitao’s appointment reaffirms NEOM’s commitment to engaging the best athletic and coaching talent to champion the continued growth of the club.

Building on his experience with renowned sports clubs across the globe, including Major League Soccer team Orlando City, Leitao’s role will prioritize driving forward the club’s growth, performance and brand across the region. In line with NEOM and the Kingdom’s ambitions under Saudi Vision 2030, NEOM Sports Club will continue engaging with the local community, building on its talent development initiatives to increase overall sports participation across the Kingdom.

Moaath Alohali, who held the position of CEO at NEOM Sports Club since the ownership transferred to NEOM in June 2023, will now take on an advisory role within the club, working closely with the chairman, board and the newly appointed CEO. Alohali has been pivotal in the success of the club to date, recruiting top-tier players and coaching staff to support the club’s football team in clinching the second division title in their inaugural season post-acquisition. He also established a dedicated women’s football team, which is currently focused on achieving promotion to the Women’s Premier League, in addition to launching a youth team program to foster future talent in the Kingdom.

On this occasion, Mishari Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the NEOM Sports Club, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to Alohali for his efforts during his tenure as CEO of the club. Al-Mutairi stated: “As part of our development efforts to elevate the club’s sporting standards, we are pleased to welcome Alex Leitao as the club’s CEO and to benefit from his extensive experience in leading global clubs.” He emphasized that “the performance achieved by the club thus far reflects our commitment to attracting the best talents and coaches to NEOM, aligning with our goals of reaching the highest levels. We are currently looking forward to new seasons filled with success.”

Alex Leitao, CEO, NEOM Sports Club, said: “As we enter a significant phase with the Kingdom's transformation into a global sports hub, I am delighted to join a sports club to contribute to achieving its sporting and social objectives, adding further distinction to its national journey.”

Leitao added, “The rapid growth of NEOM Sports Club, with a focus on professional football as the club's core sport, is a key factor that enables us to compete, support promising talents, and enhance community engagement in this pioneering region.”

Following its promotion to Saudi First Division, the NEOM S.C. football team has continued its impressive run and is currently the league’s front-runner. The 2024-25 season will conclude after 36 games in May 2025.