Al Hilal announced the signing of Neymar through the club’s official website on Saturday (July 16). The deal is for two years and the club paid a transfer fee of 90 million euros ($131.5 million) to Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar.
In a video uploaded to Al-Hilal social media, Neymar said: “I’m here in Saudi Arabia. I’m Hilali,” he said in a video posted on Al-Hilal’s social media.
In a statement to Saudi Arabia, Neymar explained his decision to sign, saying, “I want to write new sports history.
“There is a lot of energy and quality in the Saudi professional league right now. Al-Hilal is a huge club with fantastic fans and is one of the best in Asia. I feel like I made the right decision at the right club and at the right time.”
“I love winning and scoring goals. I love winning and scoring goals and I will continue to do so in Saudi Arabia and at Al-Hilal.”
“It is always difficult to say goodbye to an amazing player like Neymar, one of the best in the world,” said Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi. “I will never forget the day Neymar arrived at Paris Saint-Germain and the contribution he made to our club and our project over the past six years. We had some great moments and Neymar will always be a big part of our history.”
Al-Hilal reportedly gave in to all of Neymar’s extravagant demands to bring him to Saudi Arabia from Europe.
First, according to the BBC, Neymar’s salary alone is worth 150 million euros ($219.3 billion). Neymar then asked for four luxury exotic cars, including a Lamborghini, Bentley, and Benz, along with a chauffeur who could be called upon 24 hours a day. The four exotic cars alone cost £510,000 (about $870,000). He also asked for a luxury home with 25 rooms, three saunas, and five entourage members, including a chef. That’s five entourage members, including a chef. It doesn’t end there. Al Hilal will also pay for hotels, restaurants, and any other accommodations Neymar visits on his days off. When Neymar and his family travel, Al Hilal even provides a private plane.
Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 for €222 million, breaking the record for the highest transfer fee and salary in history at the time.
He was linked with a move away from the club with a year left on his contract in 2021, but in March of that year, he signed a new deal that extended his contract until 2025.
Neymar has scored 118 goals and provided 77 assists in 173 appearances over the past six seasons in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt. However, he has been plagued by injuries each season and has never played more than 30 games in a season. His 22 games in 2021-22 are his most in a single season.
Neymar has won the league title with Paris Saint-Germain in five of his six seasons, with the exception of 2020-21.
Al Hilal has been busy this summer in the transfer market with European stars. Former English Premier League stars Leo Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly, as well as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, one of the best midfielders in Italian Serie A, have all worn Al Hilal’s colors. Prior to the signing of Neymar, the club had spent €178 million on players in the summer transfer window. 메이저놀이터