Neymar finally makes his long-awaited Al-Hilal debut – after £78m summer switch from PSG – as he comes on as a second-half substitute during 6-1 win over Al-Riyadh… but fans BOO when he doesn’t take a penalty
- Neymar made his first appearance for the club following his £78 million move
- Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in the match and scored a penalty in the first half for his side
- Ruben Neves, Bono and Kalidou Koulibaly also played for the leader
Neymar was all smiles as he finally made his debut for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on Friday night, but fans were left frustrated by one key incident.
The former Barcelona and PSG player came off the bench in the second half and although he did not score, he was involved in some fine attacking play in a match that his team dominated.
It was the Brazilian’s first appearance since his £78million move to the Middle East in the summer, with the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Bono also lining up for the front-runners.
Mitrovic was on the scoresheet as he scored a first-half penalty in the 6-1 win, with Yasser Alshahrani, Nasser Aldawsari, Malcolm and Salem Aldawsari also scoring.
Neymar (right) was all smiles as he made his debut for Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal on Friday
The Brazilian forward came off the bench and played for the side for the first time since his £78million transfer in the summer
It seemed it was in the stars that Neymar would score on his debut for his new side since his move – which would see him earn £130 million a year – when Al-Hilal were awarded a late penalty.
But to the surprise of many, winger Salem Aldawsari stepped up to take the penalty, with boos echoing through the ground as he realized the club’s new star would not take the spot-kick.
Aldawsari scored and Neymar ran away from the 32-year-old in frustration, despite the crowd’s disappointment.
The forward had started on the bench ahead of his first appearance for his new side, where he will earn £130 million a year.
Fans in the stadium booed as Salem Aldawsari took a late penalty for the Brazilian
However, there were no worries for the player himself, who seemed to enjoy his debut match
Al-Hilal climbed to the top of the league with the victory, having recorded five wins and one draw in their first six matches.
Having now scored twenty goals, they are also well ahead as the division’s top scorers as they look to lead their rivals to title success.
Al-Ittihad, whose squad includes Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante and Fabinho, are hot on their heels in second place, with Al-Ettifaq of Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson in fifth.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are seventh in the table with three wins and two defeats from their first five matches.
