Arriving in Saudi Arabia on Friday after his signing with Al Hilal, Neymar is already at the center of controversy in the Persian Gulf. The Brazilian star has sparked discussions on social media in the country for wearing a cross necklace, a symbol of Christianity. This religion is prohibited in the Arab monarchy, the birthplace of Islam.
Following in the footsteps of fellow players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Riyad Mahrez, and Sadio Mané, Neymar has also decided to embark on an adventure in Saudi Arabia. The Brazilian forward has committed to Al Hilal.
The Brazilian superstar has signed a two-year contract with the legendary Saudi club, which has spared no expense to cater to the whims of its new star. The former Barcelona player will earn over 100 million euros annually in salary, along with other lavish benefits.
So, a jackpot for the Brazilian star, but one that comes with certain compromises. And the 31-year-old player has already learned this the hard way. Upon arriving in Riyadh on Friday, the former PSG player triggered controversy throughout the kingdom. The reason being that the native of Mogi das Cruzes was wearing a diamond cross necklace, a symbol of Christianity, as reported by local media.
As the birthplace of Islam and the location of Mecca, Saudi Arabia has formally banned the practice of Christianity within its territory. A devout believer, Neymar has never hesitated to express his faith, whether on the field or off it. And that’s likely what he did again. However, this has caused an outcry throughout the country.
Saudi Arabia turns a blind eye… Faced with the controversy, Saudi authorities and Al Hilal’s leadership have chosen to remain discreet. However, Neymar’s photos have sparked a chain reaction on social media, evoking strong emotions within the Saudi community.
Saudi internet users have voiced their criticism of the former PSG player. The online world has witnessed harsh comments and heated discussions about the images in question. In an attempt to downplay the controversy in the country, some local media outlets even resorted to Photoshopping to remove the Christian symbol, namely the cross, from Neymar’s presentation images.
These measures are aimed at calming tensions and appeasing the controversy generated by Neymar’s photos, and to prevent it from escalating further. However, despite these efforts, the situation continues to generate debates within Saudi society and among football enthusiasts.
