Also Neymar, already at the age of 31, has moved to Saudi Arabia in this extraordinary transfer summer. The Brazilian himself provides the reasoning.
Now they are all gone from Europe, probably still the biggest, because above all the most popular three football stars in the world. While Lionel Messi is now enchanting the MLS in an Inter Miami jersey, Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has started a landslide trend in the Saudi Pro League, which Neymar has now followed.
The 31-year-old Brazilian credits the 38-year-old Portuguese for that in an interview with the club’s media following his quite surprising move to Al-Hilal: “Cristiano Ronaldo was the pioneer of all this,” Neymar said. “Everyone called him crazy. But now this league is growing more and more.” The noble technician also wants to contribute to this, to “help it grow”.
At this stage, Neymar already believes the growth is so far advanced that he expects an exciting competition. “There have already been a lot of signings that will change a lot of things here,” the former Barça and PSG attacker feels. “Competition is important to me, that’s why I came here.” So much for his statements.
Meanwhile, media reports about the sometimes insane contract details between Neymar, his club and, to a certain extent, Saudi Arabia are causing a lot of eye-rolling, while the transfer fee of between 80 and 100 million euros is almost fading into the background.
Half a million euros per social media post?
The right-footer is expected to earn a basic salary of up to 200 million euros in just two contract years, as well as receiving a private jet available around the clock and a large estate including staff. For every match he wins, he will receive an 80,000 euro bonus, and 500,000 euros for every post he makes on social media promoting the country of Saudi Arabia.
Neymar does not refer to such things. “I’m looking forward to meeting good players in these teams, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino,” smiles the 124-time international. “It will be wonderful. “
