Headline: Neymar Jr. Faces Criticism for Joining Al Hilal Instead of MLS
Subtitle: The Brazilian football star makes a surprising move to the Arab League, opting to rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
Date: August 16, 2023
In a surprising turn of events, Neymar Junior has signed with Al Hilal, a Saudi Arabian football club, sparking criticism from the football community. At the age of 31, many believed Neymar still had much to offer in Europe, making his move to the Middle East even more controversial.
The criticism grew louder as it became apparent that Neymar opted to join Al Hilal to directly compete against his former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, rather than joining the MLS, where another close friend and teammate, Lionel Messi, currently plays.
During his first interview with Al Hilal’s official channel, Neymar attempted to justify his decision by praising Ronaldo’s impact on the Saudi league. “Cristiano Ronaldo was the pioneer of the historic change that took place in the Saudi league,” Neymar stated, acknowledging the Portuguese star’s influence in attracting players to the region. He further defended the move, emphasizing the league’s growth and potential.
Expressing his enthusiasm to face Ronaldo and his team, Neymar admitted, “I am excited to face Cristiano Ronaldo and his team, it will be great.” It seems the prospect of going head-to-head with his former teammate was a significant factor in his decision to join Al Hilal.
Neymar, known for his ambition and desire to succeed, explained why he chose the Saudi League as his next challenge. “I want to write a new story, and the Saudi League has enormous energy, quality players, and is growing at the moment,” Neymar shared. “Al-Hilal is a great club, with fantastic fans. It is the best in Asia. It gives me the feeling that this is the right decision for me, at the right time, at the right club. I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing so in Arabia with Al-Hilal.”
As Neymar embraces this new chapter in his career, fans and pundits alike remain divided on his choice to leave Europe for the Arab League. Only time will tell if this move will prove successful for the Brazilian star, as he aims to make his mark in Saudi Arabia and secure further triumphs with Al Hilal.