• Neymar arrives at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Friday ahead of his unveiling as an Al Hilal player. Reuters
    Neymar arrives at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Friday ahead of his unveiling as an Al Hilal player. Reuters
  • Al Hilal's new signing Neymar signs autographs upon arrival in Riyadh. Reuters
    Al Hilal's new signing Neymar signs autographs upon arrival in Riyadh. Reuters
  • Neymar arrives in Riyadh after signing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Reuters
    Neymar arrives in Riyadh after signing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Reuters
  • Brazilian forward Neymar arrives in Riyadh on Friday. The 31-year-old arrives in the kingdom after completing his move from PSG. AFP
    Brazilian forward Neymar arrives in Riyadh on Friday. The 31-year-old arrives in the kingdom after completing his move from PSG. AFP
  • Brazilian forward Neymar arrives in Riyadh. He has joined Al Hilal on a two-year contract. AFP
    Brazilian forward Neymar arrives in Riyadh. He has joined Al Hilal on a two-year contract. AFP
  • Neymar is surrounded by fans after his arrival at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AP
    Neymar is surrounded by fans after his arrival at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AP
  • Neymar will be unveiled as an Al Hilal player on Saturday. AFP
    Neymar will be unveiled as an Al Hilal player on Saturday. AFP
  • Neymar on his way to Saudi Arabia. Reuters
    Neymar on his way to Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Neymar receives grand welcome in Saudi ahead of Al Hilal unveiling


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Brazil star Neymar was greeted with great fanfare as he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday night ahead of his unveiling as the Saudi Pro League's latest star signing.

The 31-year-old forward will begin a new chapter in his football career as a Al Hilal player on Saturday after six seasons with Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain. Neymar landed in Riyadh with extra security and a number of well wishers waiting for him.

Neymar was received in the airport lounge by various club officials and press.

Neymar will be greeted by thousands of Al Hilal fans at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Saturday at the match against Al Fayha (10pm UAE kick-off).

Neymar signed a two-year contract with Al Hilal for a reported transfer fee of €90 million.

After completing the move, Neymar credited Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo for ushering in a new era in Saudi football.

"I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him 'crazy', and this and that. Today you see the league grow more and more," Neymar said in his first interview since joining Hilal.

“It is exciting, meeting top quality players on the other teams thrills you, and motivates you to play even better," he said. "And it is a given when you face Ronaldo, Benzema, Firmino, that the excitement is even greater. So I am happy to join this league, facing them will be wonderful, it will be fantastic.”

Updated: August 19, 2023, 11:42 AM