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Brazilian football sensation Neymar has shifted his allegiance to Al Hilal, parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain after a six-season association. This transition solidifies the allure of the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted football giants with its newfound affluence.
Sealing the deal on Tuesday, the clubs agreed on a transfer fee of a staggering 90 million euros (USD 98 million), setting a new benchmark for a league buoyed by Saudi Arabia's oil wealth. Al Hilal, crowned national champions 18 times, falls under the quartet of clubs now nationalised by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — a sovereign fund boasting assets nearing USD 700 billion.
The 31-year-old Neymar committed to a two-year tenure, set to raise an estimated annual salary of USD 100 million. To put it into perspective, this is roughly half of what Cristiano Ronaldo earns at Al Nassr. Ronaldo's move to Saudi earlier this year heralded a rush of star transfers, including Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, N'Golo Kante, and Jordan Henderson.
In Al Hilal's official announcement, Neymar expressed, "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."
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, paid tribute to Neymar saying, "I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, and what he has contributed to our club and our project over the last six years." While Neymar's tenure was highlighted by unparalleled skill, it was shadowed by the elusive Champions League title and sporadic injuries.
Rumours hinted at Neymar's inclination to rejoin FC Barcelona, but financial constraints rendered the move impossible. With top European clubs hesitant due to his recent injury spells, Neymar's departure leaves Paris Saint-Germain with a dwindling forward line, especially post Lionel Messi's shift to Inter Miami.
Al Hilal's current roster boasts talents like Brazilian winger Malcom, Portugal's Rúben Neves, and Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly. The latter two set previous record transfer fees from Saudi clubs, with deals amounting to 60 million euros and 55 million euros respectively.
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