Neymar’s friend reveals why PSG star REALLY made Saudi Pro League transfer

Robin Bairner

25 Aug 2023 11:26 BST
6 min read

Neymar became the most expensive player in the history of the Saudi Pro League when he departed PSG for Al-Hilal for €90 million, but one of the Brazil international’s close friends says that superstar’s decision to move was not motivated by money.

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Neymar will earn an estimated €100 million per year with Al-Hilal, making him the third-highest paid player in the world behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

However, Gubela, a former player and a friend of the No.10 says that the 31-year-old made the deal for family reasons.

MORE: Al-Hilal suffer MAJOR Neymar blow days after €90m transfer

“What he told me was: ‘I'm happy, I'm going to raise my daughter here, I'm going to spend some time with my family here in Saudi Arabia, and then I'll see what happens,’” he told ESPN.

“Over thee, he will be far away from all this pressure and all that, of course, with social networks.”

MORE: Saudi Pro League top scorers: Benzema scores first goal as Al-Ittihad impress

Neymar’s decision ‘complicated’

Gubela did admit that money played a part in Neymar’s thinking, though.

“It wasn’t a question of money, even if that counted,” he said.

“I want everyone to put themselves in that situation, because in someone else's situation it's easy to say: 'I'm never going.'

“A sea of money pours in front of you said: ‘Come on, it’s only two years.’ It’s very complicated to make the decision, even if it seems easy.

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“During these two years, he will continue to play, to make a name for himself and to please the world of football.”

Neymar’s reasoning echoes that of former Barcelona and PSG teammate Lionel Messi, who departed the Ligue 1 champions for Inter Miami as a free agent.

Messi has started life at the MLS club explosively, but so far Neymar has had a rather different experience in Saudi Arabia, where he is ruled out for several weeks because of injury.