Neymar lands in Saudi Arabia ahead of £2.5m-a-WEEK move as Saudi Prime Minister’s cousin lends him a private Boeing 747 to make the journey from Paris to Riyadh
- Prince Al Waleed bin Talal lent him a Boeing 747 to make the journey to Riyadh
- It comes after the announcement of Neymar’s £78million move to Saudi side
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Brazilian football star Neymar has officially touched down in Saudi Arabia following the announcement of his £78million move to Al-Hilal.
In spectacular style, the footballing sensation made an entrance fit for royalty as he arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday, stunning fans with the grandeur of his entrance.
The 2,893-mile journey from Paris – where the forward has spent the last six years – was orchestrated by the Saudi Prime Minister’s cousin, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, who lent Neymar a Boeing 747 to make the trip.
It was a truly unforgettable voyage for the Brazilian, who marked it in style with his grand entrance.
The 31-year-old starred for Barcelona before moving to France six years ago and leaves Europe after winning the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Ligue 1 titles and other major honours.
Fit for a King: In spectacular style, the Brazilian football star made an entrance fit for royalty as he landed in Saudi Arabia yesterday, stunning fans with the grandeur of his expensive arrival
The 31-year-old leaves Europe after winning the Champions League, LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Ligue 1 titles and other major honours, he starred for Barcelona before moving to PSG in 2017
Neymar is the latest name to swap European football for the Saudi’s eye-watering sums, as he is set to make £2.5m per week while playing for Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal have signed a number of former European stars, including Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who made the move earlier this summer.
The Saudi Pro League have continued to spend mouthwatering sums on growing their domestic league.
Neymar tops the chart as the most expensive player in history, as the total outlay on his career is expected to reach £400million.
Earlier this week, Neymar has paid an emotional farewell to team-mates and staff at Paris Saint-Germain as he prepared for the £78m move to Al-Hilal.
The French club released a social media video of Neymar saying his goodbyes at the PSG campus as he joins the exodus to Saudi Arabia.
Neymar was greeted by fans as he arrived in Saudi Arabia on a Boeing 747 that was lent to him
Neymar paid an emotional farewell to team-mates and staff at French club Paris Saint-Germain
Brazilian forward Neymar will take the number 10 shirt, which is on sale at the Riyadh shop
Neymar has a long list of European accolades to his name before making the Middle East move
The video included an embrace for Kylian Mbappe, despite suggestions the pair don’t get along.
Tensions at the French club have been high for months, as rumours grew surrounding the rocky relationship between the two star forwards, Mbappe and Neymar.
Mbappe has remained in constant limbo with the club about his uncertain future, though has been restored to the PSG fold amid his own contract stand-off. He missed the opening game of the season – a goalless draw with Lorient.
After being restored into the club once more, the Frenchman could be back in the team for their second league game against Toulouse – the same evening Neymar could make his Al-Hilal debut against Al Feiha.