Neymar makes promise to fans after Al-Hilal beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Co to Saudi Pro League title
Ronaldo has now been part of two unsuccessful title bids in Saudi Arabia.
Neymar has made it clear that he is still committed to Al-Hilal.
The former Barcelona forward joined the Riyadh outfit from Paris Saint-Germain in August last year when he signed a two-year contract worth $300 million.
He has since featured in just five matches in all competitions for his new club due to fitness and injury issues.
Neymar, 32, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty with Brazil in October, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Al-Hilal have coped remarkably well without their highest-paid star and the club clinched a record-extending 19th Saudi Pro League title this weekend.
Saturday’s 4-1 win over Al-Hazm was Al-Hilal’s 31st league fixture of the season. They have so far recorded 29 wins, two draws and zero losses.
Neymar joined his teammates in celebrating their title triumph on Saturday when the Brazilian was pictured on the field after the game carrying his baby daughter Mavie.
Once the party had calmed down, Neymar told reporters that he was “feeling good” and that he was looking forward to next season.
As quoted by Daily Briefing columnist Ben Jacobs on X.com, Neymar said: “I am feeling good. I am impatient to be back on the pitch. The fans are unbelievable.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to give them the happiness they deserve but you can be sure that next season we are going to have a lot of fun.”
Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on Saudi Pro League title again
Al-Hilal’s victory on Saturday made it mathematically impossible for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr side to win this season’s Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo has won England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A but the 39-year-old has now been part of two unsuccessful title bids in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr’s players will be expected to give their Al-Hilal counterparts a guard of honour when they meet at Al-Awwal Park in gameweek 32 on Friday.
Ronaldo is likely to play in that game as he aims to secure this season’s Golden Boot.
He currently tops the Saudi Pro League’s list of leading scorers with 33 goals in 28 appearances.
His closest rival is Al-Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has netted 26 times in 25 games so far.
