Neymar signs with Al-Hilal, praising Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiring players

Posted : 17 August 2023

Neymar has shared his thoughts on his move to Al-Hilal following the conclusion of his six-year tenure with Paris Saint-Germain. Expressing his readiness to embrace a new challenge in the Middle East, Neymar also commended Cristiano Ronaldo for being an inspiration to players joining the Saudi Pro League. The confirmation of Neymar's transfer to Al-Hilal was announced on Tuesday, and he anticipates a "very competitive" environment in the league.

Neymar praised Cristiano Ronaldo for initiating the trend of players transitioning from European football to the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo's remarkable move to Al-Nassr in December triggered a wave of high-profile names to follow suit, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and Roberto Firmino. Furthermore, former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has taken on a managerial role at Al-Ettifaq, where he's now accompanied by England midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Neymar has joined the growing number of players drawn to the Middle East, sealing his own significant move to Al-Hilal. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star lauded Ronaldo for his switch, highlighting the Portugal captain's belief in the Saudi football project, which has since been vindicated. In an interview with Al-Hilal's club media, Neymar stated, "I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him 'crazy,' and this and that. Today, you see the league grow more and more."

He emphasized his inclination towards challenges and how they bolster one's self-esteem. Neymar expressed his commitment to contributing to the league's growth and transformation. "They are already changing a lot; they have made a lot of signings," he noted. With several notable acquisitions in the summer transfer window, he anticipates heightened competitiveness in the league.

Neymar bids farewell to European football after a six-year journey with PSG, during which he clinched 13 major trophies at Parc des Princes. Despite his efforts, he couldn't lead PSG to their coveted first Champions League title, a feat similarly unachieved by his former teammate Lionel Messi. While Messi had an opportunity to move to Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal, he opted to join MLS side Inter Miami instead.

Within the star-studded forward lineup, Kylian Mbappe remains the sole member continuing his association with PSG. Although his immediate future appears tied to the club for the upcoming season, contract renewal negotiations are ongoing, and rumors of a potential transfer to Real Madrid persist.

As Neymar embarks on his new chapter with Al-Hilal, he's joined by new teammates Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Rúben Neves, and Malcom, all of whom have recently made their moves to the team from Lazio, Wolves, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, respectively.

Neymar signs with Al-Hilal, praising Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiring players

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