Neymar says the presence of several top footballers has ensured that he also opted for the lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. According to the 31-year-old Brazilian, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was the first star to be brought to the Middle East for a lot of money last winter, is responsible for making the Saudi football league more attractive.
“Ronaldo started all this and everyone thought he was crazy,” Neymar said in his first interview as an Al-Hilal player since coming from Paris Saint-Germain. “It makes it more interesting to play against world-class players. Playing against Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Roberto Firmino only makes you more motivated.”
“It is also important to have good players in your own team,” Neymar continued. ,,It is clear that that helps in making some choices. That certainly applies to me now.” He will play together with Malcom, Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Kalidou Koulibaly, among others.
Neymar played for Paris Saint-Germain for six seasons. Six years ago, the French top club paid 222 million euros to FC Barcelona, Neymar’s previous club.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.