Neymar finally makes his long-awaited Al-Hilal debut – after £78m summer switch from PSG – as he comes on as a second-half substitute during 6-1 win over Al-Riyadh… but fans BOO when he doesn’t take a penalty
- Neymar made his first appearance for Al-Hilal after his £78m move from PSG
- Aleksandar Mitrovic netted in the game, scoring a first half penalty for his side
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!
Neymar was all smiles as he finally made his debut for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on Friday evening, but fans were left frustrated by one key incident.
The former Barcelona and PSG man came off the bench in the second half and though he failed to score was involved in some neat attacking play in a game his team dominated.
It was the Brazilian’s first appearance since his £78million move to the Middle East in the summer, with the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Bono also lining up for the league leaders.
Mitrovic was on the scoresheet as he netted a first half penalty in the 6-1 win, with Yasser Alshahrani, Nasser Aldawsari, Malcolm and Salem Aldawsari also netting.
Neymar was all smiles after he made his debut for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on Friday
The Brazil star came off the bench for his first game since his £78million move in the summer
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It appeared it was written in the stars for Neymar to net on his debut for his new side when Al-Hilal were awarded a penalty late on.
But to the surprise of many, winger Salem Aldawsari stepped up to take the spot kick, with boos echoing around the ground upon the realisation the club’s new star wouldn’t be taking it.
Aldawsari scored, and Neymar ran off the join the 32-year-old in celebration despite the crowd’s disappointment.
He was on the bench ahead of his first game for Al-Hilal, where he will earn £130m-per-year
Fans in the stadium booed as Salem Aldawsari took a late penalty ahead of the Brazilian
There were no worries for the player himself, however, who appeared to enjoy his debut game
Al-Hilal moved to the top of the league with the win, having registered five victories and one draw from their opening six matches.
Having now netted 20 goals, they are also way out in front as the division’s top scorers.
Al-Ittihad, meanwhile, whose roster includes Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante and Fabinho, are hot on their tails in second, with Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson’s Al-Ettifaq in fifth.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are seventh in the table with three wins and two defeats from their opening five matches.
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