Neymar unveiled with rapturous welcome at Saudi club Al Hilal
Brazilian superstar Neymar was greeted by thousands of adoring fans at Al Hilal on Saturday as he became the latest world-famous footballer to join the big-spending Saudi Pro League
Flame-throwers and a volley of fireworks lit up the Riyadh sky as the flamboyant forward appeared in Al Hilal’s blue kit at Riyadh’s 68,000-capacity King Fahd International Stadium.
The 31-year-old, who became the world’s most expensive footballer in when he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, waved and smiled to the crowd as a drone display spelled “Neymar is blue” above the venue.
Excitement has been high for Neymar, who joins a string of huge names approaching the twilight of their careers to be lured by oil-rich Saudi’s giant contracts.
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Neymar joined Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona six years ago for a world-record fee of $242 million, scoring 118 goals in 173 matches despite a series of injuries.
He will earn 100 million euros a season in Saudi Arabia, according to a source close to the negotiations, while PSG will pocket 100 million euros in the deal.
Neymar is expected to make his debut at Al Raed on Thursday.