The Al-Hilal striker, who previously played in France for PSG, gave an exclusive interview to CNN.
Neymar’s arrival at Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 followed in the footsteps of global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who joined Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad respectively.
The move underlines the country’s strong investment in football and the league’s ambition to become one of the world’s premier competitions in the years to come.
Although playing time has been limited for the striker since his arrival in Riyadh, he buys into Cristiano Ronaldo’s bold statement that the Saudi Pro League has grown in stature to surpass France’s Ligue 1.
“Today I think so,” the Brazilian said in an exclusive interview with CNN. “The level of the Saudi Pro League is rising, and from what I see, it is better than Ligue 1. Ligue 1 has its positives. The league is very strong. I played it, so I know it well.”
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“But today the Saudi Pro League players are better. Saudi Arabia pleasantly surprised me. The people, the country, the cities, the culture. I think it is a country that is constantly growing. It will also host the 2034 World Cup, which I think will be incredible.”
