Former Paris Saint-Germain star, Neymar Jnr, has refuted recent media reports suggesting that his move to the Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal was solely motivated by financial gain.
The Brazilian football sensation has instead emphasized that his decision to join Al Hilal was driven by his ambition to become a “global player” and explore new challenges.
Neymar addressed the speculation, stating, “I have accomplished a lot in Europe and experienced some incredible moments, but my aspiration has always been to broaden my horizons and embrace fresh challenges in different environments.”
The renowned athlete expressed his interest in creating a new sporting legacy and commended the vibrancy and quality of players in the Saudi Pro League.
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“I see tremendous energy and high-caliber players in the Saudi Pro League at the moment,” Neymar added.
Neymar recently completed a move to Al Hilal on a two-year contract, with an annual salary of £129.4 million.
While Neymar’s move to Saudi Arabia has been met with suggestions that financial incentives played a role, he made it clear that his focus is on making a mark on the global stage through his football endeavors.
Joining Al Hilal, Neymar will find himself alongside new teammates such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, and Sergej Milinković-Savić, who all made their transition to the club earlier in the summer.
Al Hilal is among four clubs, including Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad, that have come under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund as part of the “Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project.”
Neymar’s reported two-year contract is rumored to come with an annual salary of approximately $100 million.
This move has sparked comparisons with the salary reportedly offered to Cristiano Ronaldo by Al Nassr, which is estimated to be around twice Neymar’s reported earnings.
