For some people outside Saudi Arabia, Neymar’s arrival in Arab football is a reason for complaints
Neymar Jr and Al Hilal
Neymar Jr surprised at the close of the last transfer market when he confirmed his decision to play in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal. After his time with FC Barcelona and almost 6 years at Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazilian made the decision that it was time to leave Europe. It should be noted that the relationship between the player and PSG was not the best and his fans criticized him in his last year with the team. Now, the forward also receives criticism in Europe, but this comes through a controversial mural.
The Italian artist Alexsandro Palombo captured his new graffiti around the San Siro, home of Milan, criticizing footballers and coaches who this season signed up for football in Saudi Arabia, seduced by the million-dollar contracts. This work was placed prior to the Champions League duel between Milan and Newcastle, an English club that has the financial support of the Saudi Arab Group Public Investment Fund that invested just over 776 billion dollars, and is now presented in the highest competition of clubs after more than 20 years of absence.
In fact, it was not only Neymar who was criticized in these works. Also other stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema, were the subject of criticism. It should be remembered that the player has not yet commented on the matter and it is certainly difficult for him to do so. All this to avoid any type of problems. So far, the player has already had his third game with Al Hilal, but he did not manage to get past a draw.
The curious detail in the murals
All the players also have a ball with threads of blood in their hands, which is a harsh criticism of this nation that seeks to clean up its image before the world. According to the site La Muralla, said mural is a criticism of a country that has been accused of multiple violations of rights. Something similar to what happened for the 2022 World Cup. The artist titled this work “Welcome to Saudi Arabia” and regretted that several figures had been lent to this game.