Neymar thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for opening the wave of football stars to Saudi Arabia to play.
“I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all this, and it was said that he was crazy to go to Saudi Pro League to play football and then mock all kinds of things,” Neymar in his first interview as a player. Al Hilal on August 16. “Now you watch this tournament more and more.”
In January 2023, with the signing of a contract with Al Nassr, Ronaldo became the first top star to play in Saudi Arabia. At that time, the Portuguese striker said that Saudi officials had a big investment plan in football, and the Saudi Pro League would soon enter the top 5 best leagues in the world. Ronaldo’s statement was controversial, but after seven months, everything is gradually becoming a reality.
Neymar made his debut for Al Hilal on August 15. Photo: Reuters
Many other top stars followed Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino. Here, Ronaldo , Neymar and Benzema all receive salaries of up to 200 million USD per year. Other stars also receive salaries from tens to 100 million per year, many times higher than in Europe.
Neymar said he wants to make history with Saudi football. Brazil’s top scorer is excited when the Saudi Pro League is having great energy and quality players. “Al Hilal is a huge club with great fans, and the best club in Asia,” Neymar added. “This makes me more confident that I have made the right decision at the right time with the right club. I love to win and score goals. I plan to continue to do that in Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal.”
Neymar made his debut for Al Hilal on August 15. Photo: Reuters
Many other top stars followed Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino. Here, Ronaldo , Neymar and Benzema all receive salaries of up to 200 million USD per year. Other stars also receive salaries from tens to 100 million per year, many times higher than in Europe.
Neymar said he wants to make history with Saudi football. Brazil’s top scorer is excited when the Saudi Pro League is having great energy and quality players. “Al Hilal is a huge club with great fans, and the best club in Asia,” Neymar added. “This makes me more confident that I have made the right decision at the right time with the right club. I love to win and score goals. I plan to continue to do that in Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal.”
In June, the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced an investment project in four Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al Hilal. This investment fund is also the owner of Newcastle United, the club that finished fourth in the Premier League last season and won tickets to the Champions League.
