August 16 - Neymar, who completed a move to Al Hilal for a whopping €90 million after six erratic seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, has officially become the next celebrity player to board the financial gravy train to the Saudi Pro League.
The Brazilian was given a hero's welcome when he arrived in Paris after leaving Barcelona for a world-record cost of €222 million, but he only occasionally lived up to expectations.
After failing to win Europe's top prize—the Champions League—with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, he has since departed PSG's Qatari owners, just months after PSG supporters staged a protest outside his home calling for his departure.
Neymar, 31, did not play in PSG's 0-0 season-opening tie with Lorient on Saturday after exercising by himself, as he was said to be suffering from a viral infection, according to the club.
Prior to his rejection of a move and subsequent reinstatement into the PSG first squad, Kylian Mbappe was the target of an attempt by Al Hilal to acquire him.
“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,” said Neymar.
“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, the most successful club in Asia and Saudi Arabia, has won 66 trophies and holds the league and Asian Champions League championship records.
They are one of four Saudi clubs that the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a sovereign wealth fund with estimated assets of $700 billion, has virtually nationalized. With his two-year contract, Neymar will likely receive a salary of about $100 million each year.
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