Neymar Says Saudi Pro League May Be Better Than France's Ligue 1

Neymar has refuted claims that his move from PSG to Al-Hilal was a downwards step by suggesting that the Saudi Pro League may be better than France's Ligue 1.

Neymar has refuted claims that his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal this summer was a downwards step by suggesting that the Saudi Pro League may be better than France's Ligue 1.

The Brazil captain joined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane in Saudi Arabia when he left PSG for a transfer fee of £77.6 million in August.

In total, Saudi clubs spent more than £700m on transfer fees for new players this summer.

Neymar was asked about the quality of the Saudi Pro League during a press conference in Brazil on Friday. 

He told reporters: "For the names that went to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be surprised if the Saudi league is better than the French."

Neymar won the Ligue 1 title five times during six seasons in Paris, having previously won La Liga twice in four years with Barcelona. 

He is now determined to add the Saudi Pro League to his list of honors.

Neymar added: "I can assure you the football in Saudi Arabia is the same. The ball is round, we have goalposts.

"There's no secret. We have intense practice there, the thirst to win is still big.

"I want to win trophies with Al-Hilal. It doesn't change much."

Neymar pictured last month when he was presented in front of Al-Hilal fans after signing from Paris Saint-Germain :: IMAGO/Power Sport Images/Strigner

Neymar's comments came 24 hours after Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had claimed that the Saudi Pro League was better than Portugal's Primeira Liga.

Ronaldo has previously said on multiple occasions that he believes that the Saudi Pro League could become one of the world's top five domestic competitions.

Neymar has not yet made his debut for Al-Hilal, having arrived in Saudi Arabia with fitness issues.

However, he could make his first appearance since February on Friday night when Brazil take on Bolivia in Belem.