'Opposite of Ronaldo' - Neymar SLAMMED by Al-Hilal boss

Cameron Smith

• 15 Jan 2024 08:13 CST
• 3 min read

Neymar has been criticised by Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus for not showing the same level of dedication as Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Brazil international, 31, left Paris Saint-Germain to join Al-Hilal for a whopping €90 million last summer and he is the Saudi Pro League’s all-time record signing.

However, his start to life in the Middle East hasn’t gone as planned.

Neymar has been absent through injury since October and he is set to be ruled out until April due to a cruciate ligament tear.

He has played just five times for Al-Hilal since joining during the 2023 summer transfer window, scoring one goal and providing three assists.

In his absence, ex-Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been Al-Hilal’s go-to man and the Serbia international has scored 17 league goals so far this term.

They are currently top of the Saudi Pro League having picked up 53 points from their opening 17 matches. Al-Hilal remain unbeaten and have only drawn two games so far this campaign.

As a result, they are seven points clear of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, who are second.

Neymar criticised by Jorge Jesus

While Al-Hilal have experienced success on the pitch, Jesus doesn’t believe Neymar has tried to make his transfer work since leaving PSG.

He recently told journalist Nicolas Vilas Boas: “Neymar is the opposite of Ronaldo. Ronaldo has more passion for football and he makes it his priority.

“Neymar has more passion for other things linked to his private life, which he puts first.”

Ronaldo has scored 20 league goals for Al-Nassr so far this season and currently leads the Saudi Pro League top goal-scorer charts as a result.

In total, the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United forward has 38 goals and 13 assists for Al-Nassr since moving to Saudi Arabia following the 2022 Qatar World Cup.