Druti Banerjee, Pune
Neymar, the Brazilian striker, has left French champions Paris St. Germain to join Al-Hilal, the Saudi Professional League (SPL) team and the transfer was announced on Tuesday.
After spending six years with Paris St. Germain, where he won multiple domestic championships but failed to bring home the Champions League that the club so desperately wants, Neymar has agreed to a two-year deal with Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
Although no financial information was provided on Tuesday, it was rumored that the charge for the 31-year-old would be around 90 million euros ($98.24 million), plus add-ons.
Neymar first transferred from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 in a historic transaction of 222 million euros. He made 173 appearances for the Paris club throughout the course of his time there, scoring an amazing 118 goals. Neymar also accumulated a number of accolades, including five Ligue 1 championships, which enhanced his influence on the club.
In a video posted on the team’s social media, the Brazilian footballer said, “I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali,” after signing a deal with Saudi Professional League (SPL) club, Al-Hilal that runs until 2025 viz. two years from now. “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, he said following the deal signed on Tuesday in Paris. The striker further added, “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. I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal.”
Lionel Messi and France forward Kylian Mbappe were reportedly targeted for Al-Hilal, but the Argentine ultimately chose Inter Miami of Major League Soccer. Al Hilal, the most successful club in Asia and Saudi Arabia, has won 66 trophies and the most league and Asian Champions League championships (18 and 4 respectively).
After the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced in June an investment and privatization program for sports clubs featuring league winners Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal, strengthening the team is a priority for the Riyadh-based club.