Neymar Jr. has become the latest soccer star to join the Saudi Pro League as he recently completed his move to Al-Hilal. The Brazilian talisman has completed his medical tests and signed the deal. With only an official announcement pending, his move to Al-Hilal is all but complete. However, Neymar‘s transfer has brought back to light a bold prediction that Cristiano Ronaldo made a few weeks ago.
Back in July, Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about his move to Al-Nassr during an interview. He said, “They criticized me for coming to the Saudi League, but what happened now? I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here.” In addition to this, Ronaldo also predicted that many more stars will join the Saudi Pro League in the coming days.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “They criticized me for coming to Saudi League, but what happened now?”. ✨🇸🇦
“I opened the way… and now all the players are coming here”. pic.twitter.com/4AkVayzxes
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023
Although only a few people believed Ronaldo‘s words back then, the Portuguese star has finally had the last laugh. Since Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr earlier this year, the Saudi League has become a popular destination for soccer stars. Following the ex-Manchester United star’s footsteps, several suprerstars like Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, and now Neymar have moved to Saudi Arabia.
🎙️🇸🇦 Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined Al-Nassr: “The Saudi League will grow, many more stars will arrive.”
Since then:
🇧🇷 Neymar
🇫🇷 Benzema
🇸🇳 Mané
🇩🇿 Mahrez
🇧🇷 Firmino
🇫🇷 Kanté
🇫🇷 Fofana
🇫🇷 Saint-Maximin
🇸🇳 Koulibaly
🇷🇸 Milinković-Savić
🇸🇳 Mendy
🇵🇹 Jota
🇵🇹 Neves
🏴 Henderson… pic.twitter.com/1FWRXZsXTy— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 14, 2023
Although there have been criticisms labeled against the Saudi Arabian clubs for luring players with exorbitant salaries. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr contract broke the Internet with the Portuguese international making over $200 million a year. Even Neymar Jr is set to earn around $175 million annually at Al-Nassr. However, not even a billion-dollar contract from Al-Hilal managed to lure Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Neymar’s Al-Hilal move brings the end of an era in European soccer
Neymar’s move has finally marked the end of the lethal ‘MSN’ and ‘BBC’ trio in Europe. The ‘MSN’ trio included Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr who spearheaded FC Barcelona’s attack from 2014-2017. Meanwhile, Real Madrid had the ‘BBC’- Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo who dominated European soccer like no other. The ‘MSN’ and the ‘BBC’ trio broke and set several records which remain unparalleled to date.
The ‘BBC’ played 658 games together where they scored a combined 442 goals and registered 243. The trio helped Real Madrid win 12 trophies, including four Champions League titles. Meanwhile, the ‘MSN’ played 450 games and scored 364 goals, and provided 171 assists. The ‘MSN’ lead FC Barcelona to nine trophies including a Champions League title (via Messi vs Ronaldo).
Moreover, the ‘MSN’ became the highest-scoring trio in the 21st century, scoring 131 goals in the 2015-16 season. With Neymar’s exit in 2017 and Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, the ‘MSN’ and the’BBC’ reached its end. Currently, with Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema playing in Saudi Arabia, Messi playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, and Bale being retired, the ‘MSN’ and the ‘BBC’ have drawn the curtain on what was a remarkable period in European soccer history.