Neymar has joined Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and has explained his reason for doing so. The 31-year-old signed with the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday, ending his six-year tenure with Paris Saint-Germain, and did so for a signing bonus that could reach £86 million.
The Brazilian great claims that, despite rumors that he will make almost £138 million annually, joining Al Hilal was motivated by his ambition to “write new sporting history.”
“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said.
“I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment.
“I have heard a lot and learned that I am following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired place.
“Al Hilal is a giant club with fantastic fans, and it is the best in Asia. This gives me a feeling that it is 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 and with Al Hilal.”
This summer, the club also completed shocking transfers of Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Wolves, Chelsea, and Lazio, respectively.
However, unlike his new teammates, Neymar has a ton of very precise, opulent demands written into the contract that has made him the third highest paid player in the league, behind Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Initially, there were reports he was returning to his former club, Barcelona. The Brazilian allegedly notified PSG that he plans to leave before the end of the transfer window, according to the French publication L’Equipe. Neymar, who is now 31 years old, reportedly wants to go back to Barcelona, the team he left in the summer of 2017 to join PSG.
Neymar is said to have been disturbed by the PSG fans’ protests outside his home in May, which is what prompted the star’s desire to leave. Furthermore, it appears unlikely that PSG would approve of Neymar’s exit after losing Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Also uncertain is whether Barcelona could afford Neymar given their precarious financial situation.
Ironically, PSG sought to sell Neymar a year ago, but due to the terms of his contract, no one could afford him, and he preferred to remain in Paris. Even though the roles have now been switched, the result is still the same. No teams from outside Saudi Arabia could come up with the money to sign the 31-year-old.
Still on Neymar, BNeymar was fined ($3.33 million) by Brazllina officials for violating environmental regulations during the construction of his coastal property in southeastern Brazil.
Late last month, local authorities first suspected that the luxurious construction was breaking the law by illegally transporting freshwater sources, rock, and sand. On Monday, they confirmed the suspicion. Neymar’s spokesperson refused to say anything about the situation.
