2023-08-18 19:10:13
The 31-year-old Brazilian striker will be officially presented on Saturday in the colors of his new club, Al-Hilal, where he signed up for two years, following six seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won five titles of champion of France.
Welcomed in a lounge at Riyadh airport, with reinforced security for the occasion, and filled with representatives of the club and the press, he presented himself with a large cross set with diamonds hanging from his neck while he was posing for pictures.
A rock star welcome will most certainly await him on Saturday at the capital’s King Fahd International Stadium, where he will be presented to thousands of fans.
“We will throw a big party worthy of the samba dancer that he is,” said an Al-Hilal official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Neymar’s two-year contract with his new club will see him earn a salary of around €100m per season, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or Sadio Mané, “Ney” leaves Europe to strengthen the Saudi Pro League in international talent.
The Brazilian scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for PSG, winning, in addition to his five Ligue 1 titles, three Coupes de France and two Coupes de la Ligue, although his time at PSG was marred by numerous injuries.
Left out of certain key matches, he still helped the Parisian club reach the final of the 2020 Champions League, lost 1-0 once morest Bayern Munich.
Operated on his right ankle at the beginning of March, he only returned to the Paris squad last month, during PSG’s pre-season tour in Asia.
With its billions of dollars from oil exploitation, Saudi Arabia, often criticized for its human rights record, has embarked on a wave of sports buying frenzy as part of its plans to diversify its economy and attract tourism and investment.
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