Yunus Musah: A Talent at Atalanta (Olf AC Milan)

I think the biggest reason we don’t see Americans playing in Saudi Arabia is that being American negates the biggest advantage, i.e. they still have to pay taxes on the “tax-free” income.

 

He'd probably get paid more in KSA, which is a real consideration. That league is still paying a premium for players with pedigree - and Musah has that. And he's probably a lock starter in that league. So, I think the OP's point is that Musah might like it there (that's an assumption, but based on some of his statements) and the level of play is high enough to support his continued growth as a player while he makes bank. I'm not sure about the later, but it would be a more appropriate debate for here vs the current ridiculous "oh, you think all Muslims should live in KSA" which isn't remotely what the OP said.

 

Amen. The IRS comes for you no matter what. One of a very few countries in the world that taxes based on citizenship instead of residence. I have business partners in London and I feel for them - the get hammered at both ends.

 

In my ~25 years on YA, I’ve gotten the exact opposite impression.

 

So if you think this is bad,you should go to the MNT boards where Musah is being dumped from the 26 in favor of random MLSers lol.

 

Hey, I resemble that remark, except I don't prance around - I caper about!

 

I have only taken a tourist's glimpse (on line) of highlights in KSA league, but I think teams can register max, what, 10 non-Saudi players and start 8? I guess they issue citizenship to start athletes now and again, but how good is a league where each team plays at least 3 Saudi players and many (all?) consistently play more. Al-halil's last game they started at least 5 KSA players. That will change as some players get healthy etc. and the league has attracted some name brand coaches but the idea it is a good league for development seems a stretch. Payday, maybe. Perhaps getting an American Muslim player with a few sexy clubs in his CV would be worth something to a team, but with squad and roster limits I have no idea what that would be.

 

As a general rule, however (and I for sure can't speak for highly paid footie players with lots of sharp accountants) this would still be a pretty good benefit to US citizen players. The way the international tax situation plays out for "normal" folks if there is a tax treaty is you pay the foreign income tax (which is usually more than US), get credit for that amount on your US return, but the amount is usually reduced due to ATM, FTC limits or other tax-quirks. So you get significant credit, but usually not full credit (it carries forward). So, paying 0 tax in KSA would mean you are taxed the same as in US (minus state taxes, and with perhaps the first ~100k tax-free if you are careful about time spent in the US - tho for a USMNT player that's probably moot.)

For instance, I've been, at various times, a Canadian and Dutch resident for tax purposes. I pay Can or Dutch income taxes - then file in US, filling out FTC form which applies a credit but is rarely, if ever, the full amount paid. Meaning I pay marginally more than a Dutch or Canadian making the exact same money. But if you pay 0 foreign tax your FTC is 0 so I believe you simply pay the same as a player living/playing in a 0 income tax state - and less than those living/playing in CA or PA or NJ etc. Local Tax Pros can correct this info if incorrect.

 

Musah remains on the bench. Atalanta (T-9th) visiting Udinese (T-11th). Atalanta is still undefeated, but with only two wins (and seven draws) in nine matches.

 

Watched his 15 minutes in CL today.

Played CM, a bit more defensive. Not in the ball that often but did have a great Musah moment.. gets ball inside his own box with some pressure but enough space to wiggle and turn and then recognize he can take space with the ball. Dribbles through their press and moves the ball in transition. Total risky move but it paid off.

 

Musah on the bench, again, with Atalanta underperforming, again - can Juric be long for this managing gig? How many times does Musah have to enter a match late and save your bacon?

HT Score Atalanta 0-1 Sassuolo

Edit: Two HT subs but not Musah, and right away Sassuolo score a second.

Atalanta 0-2 Sassuolo at 55’

 

Musah DNP in a 0-3 home defeat.

Wait for the calls to increase to a crescendo … Juric out!

 

^ Better fine yourself a quarter, DK!

 

For those reasons he should stay out of MLS, too!

 

Uhhhh?

 

Nagbe successor

 

For the final few Musah fans here, we have reason to hope ... Juric is out, Raffaele Palladino is in.

"The club responded in the most predictable, most Serie A, way possible and fired their manager. Ivan Juric was let go on the eve of the international break. He was always going to be up against it, and was publicly very much their second choice after Thiago Motta last summer. An ugly loss to Sassuolo at the weekend only sealed his fate. In his place is Raffaele Palladino, who was named manager on Tuesday. Palladino overperformed with a mediocre Fiorentina squad last season, but resigned over the summer - reportedly with one eye on the Atalanta job.

A few months later, he has his wish. And, more importantly, Musah might have another chance. Palladino played a 4-5-1 at Fiorentina, but liked to use a trio of roaming midfielders and attacking wide midfielders. They were ambitious with the ball, too, and hard-working when they didn't have it. On the face of things, then, this seems a far better setup for Musah."

 

Nagbe just retired after playing 44k minutes in various MLS competitions. Crazy.

 

Similarly to Juventus, Atalanta failed with their summer hire (Tudor/Juric) and surprisingly upgraded after their poor starts. Palladino was also on the shortlist to take over for Tudor at Juventus.

Palladino is very much a pragmatist and will set his team up depending what players are at his disposal. Hopefully it means more minutes for Musah. Unfortunately, Pasalic, De Roon, and Ederson, are still in the team and who knows how Palladino views Brescianini. Atalanta have a pretty good squad if they can get healthy.

 

Players mentioned are all better than musah

 

No doubt about De Roon and Ederson. I've never been a huge fan of Pasalic tbh. Brescianini is a question mark for me. He was solid at Frosinone. I think Musah has a higher ceiling than Pasalic and Brescianini but wouldn't bet any money on how Musah's career is going to shake out in comparison.

 

How many of these other guys we're talking about are on loan? That's potentially a negative factor for Musah to get playing time.