“I want to be a global player”, says Neymar about going to Al-Hilal

The decision to leave the Paris Saint-Germain to play in al-hilalfrom Saudi Arabia, generated debate about a possible lack of sports motivation of Neymar. For the 31-year-old, however, moving to a less traditional center is an opportunity to make his name even bigger in world football. Shortly after being announced by the new team, he explained the reasons that led him to venture into the Arab world.

“I achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special moments, but I always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” he said. “I want to write a new story in the sport, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players right now. I’ve heard a lot and learned that I’m following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe this is a desired place,” he concluded.

Neymar was, this Tuesday, at the Four Season George V Hotel, in Paris, where he participated in a signing ceremony of his contract. The event was attended by Fahad Bin Saad Bin Nafel, chairman of Al-Hilal’s board of directors, who said he believed in a “bright future” for the partnership between club and player.

“Neymar Jr is a global icon who has brought joy and pleasure to all fans wherever he plays. The spotlight is always on him and he always responds to that. We are delighted to have him at Al-Hilal, the most success from all over Asia”, said the manager. “He is an unstoppable attacking force and has achieved a lot in his wonderful career. But the future is even brighter and his signing is exactly what the team needs. He is a natural goalscorer. Everyone in Saudi Arabia is happy to hear that he is coming.” “, he concluded.

The Brazilian striker joins a squad commanded by the Portuguese Jorge Jesus, formerly of Flamengo, and formed by other recently signed stars, such as the Portuguese Rúben Neves, the Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and the Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly. Ambitious, Al Hilal has 18 Saudi Championship titles and four Asian Champions League titles.

“Al-Hilal is a huge club with fantastic fans and is the best in Asia. It gives me a feeling that it’s the right decision for me, at the right time, with the right club. I love winning and scoring goals. , and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal,” said Neymar.

To hire the Brazilian star, the Saudi club offered a much higher salary compared to the 4 million euros per month (R$ 21 million) that the athlete earned at PSG. According to information from European newspapers, he will earn something around 160 million euros in two years, that is, about R$ 860 million.

PSG will receive, according to the newspaper “L’Equipe”, from France, R$ 90 million euros (483 million) for the sale of the athlete for which it paid 822 million euros six years ago and which made him, until today, the biggest transfer in history. He travels this Tuesday to the Arab nation and should be presented on Wednesday.