European soccer's transfer deadline day is one of the most exciting days of the year, but it's also a chaotic and extremely unpredictable day. With clubs showing desperation to sign their transfer targets, the transfer deadline day makes every hour crucial and subject to breaking news, leaving fans at the edge of their social media seats to see the latest Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein updates regarding their club.
The Saudi Pro League is slowly becoming one of the most popular and trending soccer leagues to keep up with in the world and it’s no secret that this is all at the hands of former Europe’s elite players making a move to the Al-Akhdar league in 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for transforming the Saudi Pro League, according to Brazil forward Neymar who is looking forward to facing the Portuguese international when he starts playing for Al-Hilal.
The 31-year-old Neymar signed a two-year contract with the Riyadh-based club on Tuesday after spending six years with Paris Saint-Germain, in a deal reportedly worth about $98 million.
The Neymar Al Hilal salary blows American sports contracts out of the water. The Saudi Arabian club paid PSG a reported $98.6 million for the Brazilian and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they will pay for his services.
According to nfl.com, the highest annual salary in the NFL belongs to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert who will rake in $52.5 million per year.
Saudi Arabia is attempting what China failed to do in the late 2010s and attract the big soccer names away from Europe to their country’s top league. The list of players going to Saudi Arabia or that have been linked grows by the day.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first major domino to fall in December when the Portuguese star joined Al Nassr and is expected to make $75 million a year.
Brazil forward Neymar Jr. is headed for Saudi Arabia after Pro League side Al Hilal agreed a two-year deal with Paris St Germain, Saudi state media reported on Monday.
There was no immediate comment from the Ligue 1 champions, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, but French newspaper L'Equipe said the deal could net 31-year-old Neymar 160 million euros ($175 million).
The transfer fee was reported to be about 90 million euros plus add-ons and subject to completing a medical.
While setting their expectations for the 2023-24 season or trying to define what's next in their careers, players of the most relevant leagues in Europe are squeezing out their last days of vacation before returning to reality.
With family or friends, beach towns around the world seem to have been the favorite destination among them, and here we give you a glimpse of their holidays.
The Argentine star already landed on U.S. soil to be presented as Inter Miami's new face.
Do you miss Neymar? Well, here's a non-soccer-related update: he's going to be a father.
The Brazilian started the 2022-23 campaign flying high, scoring, assisting and bringing a good dose of football champagne for PSG. Some even argue that he was making a solid case to be considered for fancy awards like the Ballon d'Or. However, injuries returned to haunt him during the World Cup and then ended his season by mid-February.
Way too early!
Since then, the player has been mostly playing video games online and losing sponsored money in poker.
Paris St Germain forward Neymar has been ruled out for the rest of the season with the Brazil international set to undergo surgery to repair ankle ligaments that will keep him out for at least three months, the Ligue 1 club said on Monday.
Neymar, who has 13 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 this season, has not played since a 4-3 win over Lille last month, missing PSG's last two games.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar sustained ankle ligament damage in Sunday's 4-3 Ligue 1 win over Lille, the French club said late on Tuesday.
Brazilian forward Neymar, who scored PSG's second goal in the 17th minute, was stretchered off the field in tears early in the second half after colliding with Lille's Benjamin Andre and rolling his right ankle.