‘The ball is round, there’s a goal!’ - Brazil & Al-Hilal superstar Neymar delivers sarcastic response to questions of Saudi league standards

The Brazil international finds himself in the Middle East six years on from his record-breaking €222 million (£190m/$238m) transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Things did not play out as planned for him in France, with Champions League glory proving elusive.

Neymar has now joined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia and is convinced that he has made the right move at 31 years of age. He is working on a lucrative contract, but insists that no backwards step has been taken when leaving European football.

Neymar said when asked if would be getting enough competitive action at club level to ensure that he is at his best when joining up with the Brazil squad: "I assure you that soccer there [in Saudi Arabia] is the same. The ball is round, there's a goal, and if you look at the names that have gone to the Saudi league... I don't know whether it is better than the French league or not. I want to win titles for Al-Hilal, my head won't change much. Everyone said the same when I went to France [about competitiveness], and it was the place I was hit the most in my life. I am sure that it won't be easy to win the Saudi championship, other teams got stronger, have famous players. It will be very interesting and I am sure you will be watching."

Neymar is yet to make his competitive debut for Al-Hilal, as he has been nursing a knock, but he is in the latest Brazil squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers and is only one goal away from breaking Pele’s all-time scoring record for the Selecao.