Neymar insists he was motivated to complete the £78m move to Al-Hilal by his desire to become a ‘global player’ after signing a two-year £260m contract in Saudi Arabia reaches.
Neymar has revealed that his decision to leave European football for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal was inspired by his ambitions to become a ‘global player’.
The Brazilian completed his £78 million transfer to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after leaving reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain after six years in France.
Neymar is set to earn a whopping £260 million after signing a two-year contract in the Middle East, but he has claimed his true reasons for leaving PSG have nothing to do with the money on offer.
The 31-year-old will receive a hero’s reception as he is unveiled as Al-Hilal’s latest summer addition with the club set to spend millions in a ceremony.
After completing his transfer, the attacker explained: “I have achieved a lot in Europe and experienced special times, but I have always wanted to be a world player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places.”
Neymar has revealed the reasons behind his desire to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal
The Brazilian completed his £78 million transfer to Al-Hilal on Tuesday after deciding to leave PSG
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“I want to make new sports history and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players right now.
“I have heard and learned a lot that I follow a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I think this is the place to be.
Al-Hilal is a huge club with fantastic fans and it is the best in Asia. This gives me the feeling that this is the right decision for me at the right time at the right club.
“I like winning and scoring goals and I intend to continue to do so in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal,” he added.
The Brazil international is leaving European football after spending 10 years on the continent where he enjoyed success at both Barcelona and PSG.
His time at the Catalan club saw him become a serial LaLiga winner along with winning the Champions League, a fate he was unable to replicate in Paris.
A move to Saudi Arabia is the culmination of a summer of lavish spending from the country that has seen its ambitions to attract top footballers take a huge step forward.
Neymar is the biggest high-profile name to arrive in the country after Cristiano Ronaldo left England last December to pursue a move.
However, other stars have also cemented their spots with other Saudi Pro League clubs after deciding to cash in on the massive payouts on offer.
Jordan Henderson left his post as Liverpool captain to join Al-Ettifaq, Riyad Mahrez opted to leave Man City despite winning the Treble with the club, while Sadio Mane ended a torrid one-season stay at Bayern Munich .
Neymar claims he wants to become a ‘global player’ after moving to Saudi Arabia