Al-Hilal Saudi Club presented – today, Saturday, in a loud party and in front of thousands of its fans in the capital, Riyadh – its new star, Brazilian striker Neymar, the last of the great players to join the Saudi League, which has become studded with international stars.
Amidst a distinguished atmosphere, Neymar (31 years old) entered King Fahd Stadium, east of Riyadh, whose floodlights were turned off and illuminated by the lights of the fans’ phones.
Fireworks exploded at the moment Neymar entered the stadium, which can accommodate 68,000 spectators, amid chants of the crowd, “Neymar, Neymar,” while drones painted the word “Neymar blue” over the stadium.
The crowd waved blue flags with a picture of the Brazilian in the Al Hilal shirt and “Neymar 10”, while the stadium’s electronic screens showed footage of previous goals for the Brazil captain.
🔵 Al-Hilal presents Malcolm and Bono
..and a historic reception for #Neymar🤩📺 Enjoy watching 🍿#Neymar_presentation_concert | #NEYMAR#SSC pic.twitter.com/fnTf98TENE
– Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) August 19, 2023
Neymar arrived on Friday evening in Riyadh, wearing a blue scarf in the colors of Al-Hilal shirt, one of the most popular Saudi clubs, and one of the clubs acquired by the Saudi Public Investment Fund in a plan to make the local league among the 10 best leagues in the world.
Al-Hilal, who won the Saudi League 18 times (a record) and the AFC Champions League 4 times (a record), held the ceremony before its match in the second round of the local league against Al-Fayhaa.
From the moment of his signing, Al Hilal’s accounts on the communication sites always refer to Neymar as “historic”.
And Neymar is the “historic scorer” for the Brazilian national team, tied with legend Pele with 77 each.
Neymar will not play Saturday’s match, while he is scheduled to be ready for the Al-Raed match, next Thursday, in the third round of the league, according to a statement by an official in Al-Hilal.
The “leader” crowd filled the sides of the stadium, where the fans raised a tifo (a slogan drawn by the fans on the runway) carrying the face of Neymar with the word hello in English.
Minutes before the Brazilian entered, thousands chanted in the name of the Brazilian winger Malcolm and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bono, the newly joined “Big Asian”, as they were introduced to the fans.
🔝 The first appearance of “Bono” in Al-Durra via #TikTok_Hilal 👇🏽💙 https://t.co/YgTPCFwSPH
– Al Hilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_FC) August 19, 2023
Neymar celebrates the equalizing goal ⚽#Roshan_Saudi_League#Al-Hilal _ Al-Fayhaa | #SSC pic.twitter.com/2pjpALw4KU
– Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) August 19, 2023
