Neymar Jr. has joined the growing chorus of praise for the Saudi Pro League, echoing sentiments previously expressed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
During a press conference held prior to Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, Neymar shared his thoughts on the Saudi League, emphasizing its strength and competitiveness. He firmly stated, “To the boredom of those who try to belittle the Saudi League, I tell him the Saudi League is a very strong and difficult league, and whoever says that will start to follow it soon.”
It’s worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo, like Neymar Jr., has been vocal in his assessments of the Saudi League’s quality. He previously asserted that the league surpasses the Portuguese league in terms of competitiveness.
Additionally, during the summer, he declared that the Saudi Pro League outshines Major League Soccer (MLS), the home of his perennial rival, Lionel Messi.
Addressing his transition to the new environment of the Saudi Pro League, Neymar Jr. highlighted the absence of significant difficulties.
While acknowledging that he is not yet proficient in Arabic, he drew parallels to his experience with the French language during his tenure in Paris. He emphasized that the linguistic shift has not posed a substantial obstacle.
🎙️ Neymar Jr: “Given the big names that make this league, the Saudi Pro League might already be better than Ligue 1.” 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/vYbLd54AXP
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 8, 2023
Currently, Neymar Jr. is directing his focus towards his on-field performances and integration with his new teammates. He expressed contentment with the opportunity to immerse himself in a new culture and spoke warmly about the positive reception he has received from fans. The Brazilian superstar is excited about his future prospects in this fresh chapter of his career.
Neymar commented on the scenarios that led him to Al-Hilal
Neymar Jr. also took a moment to address the ongoing discussions and speculations surrounding his decision to join the Saudi Arabian League instead of returning to FC Barcelona.
In response to the multitude of rumors and opinions circulating in various quarters, Neymar candidly stated, “There were a lot of guesses everywhere, a lot of know-it-alls who knew the truth of what happened, and no one knows. Only I know, a few people know what happened for me to arrive at Al-Hilal, but it’s not up to anyone, it’s not up to you. What you have to talk about is the four lines. From the outside, I’ll take care of it.”
Neymar Jr: “Saudi league is better than Ligue 1”
— L🫵🏽nre (@lanrrrre) September 7, 2023
Following his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar Jr. concluded his remarkable decade-long European soccer journey.
Al-Hilal paid around $98 million for Neymar Jr. to PSG and made him one of the highest earners in the Saudi League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, fans eagerly awaiting Neymar Jr.’s debut for Al-Hilal were met with disappointment, as his anticipated first appearance against Al-Feiha did not come to fruition.
Al-Hilal’s manager, Jorge Jesus, revealed that the Brazilian is currently contending with a minor injury, and the exact timeline for his return to the pitch remains uncertain.
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