Featured Image Credit: Getty/Twitter@Transfers
Topics: Neymar, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Neymar, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Football
Brazilian star Neymar has revealed the main reason in his big-money move to Saudi Professional League side Al Hilal.
After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Neymar had ditched European football by leaving Paris Saint Germain for Al Hilal.
It was reported that the deal to take the 31-year-old to Saudi Arabia cost £86 million.
Neymar is reportedly set to earn an eye-watering salary of £138 million per season during his time with the Saudi Arabian club.
During his first interview since joining the club, Neymar has revealed that the money was not his main motivation for the transfer.
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As per talkSPORT, he said: “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.
“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.”
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Neymar continued: “Al Hilal is a giant club with fantastic fans, and it is the best in Asia. This gives me a feeling that it is the right decision for me at the right time with the right club.
“I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al Hilal.”
Neymar becomes the latest big-name player from Europe to make a switch to the Middle East.
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So far this summer, the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane have all joined Saudi Professional League.
Meanwhile, Neymar’s new club have signed the likes of Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinkovic Savic.