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Former Spain international Ander Herrera opened up about his feelings on ex-Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate Neymar's decision to join Al-Hilal in the summer.
The pair played together for the Parisian outfit from 2019 to 2022, sharing the pitch on 44 occasions, failing to record a joint goal contribution. Playing beside each other, they won the Ligue 1 trophy twice.
Neymar decided to join Al-Hilal this summer on a two-year deal for a reported fee of €90 million. The former Barcelona star is yet to net his first Saudi Pro League goal, having managed two assists from three appearances in the competition.
Addressing the player's move, Herrera said in a recent interview (via ESPN FC):
"We have to accept and respect that [decision to go to Saudi Arabia]. But as a friend of him, and as a football supporter and lover, I would like to see him playing in Europe of course.
“We have to accept that some of them they prioritize to earn so much money and probably they are earning in two years what they haven’t earned in 15 years in Europe.”
During his time in Europe, the Brazil international represented some of the top clubs in the continent, like PSG and Barcelona. With the Spanish giants, he scored 105 goals and assisted 76 times in 186 appearances.
Meanwhile, he registered 118 goals and 77 assists from 173 appearances with the Ligue 1 side before deciding to exit Europe.
FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence doctor assures Neymar of footballing future after tearing his ACL
Neymar is currently nursing an ACL injury that he picked up during Brazil's 2-0 loss against Uruguay (October 17) in the recently concluded international break. Following the player's injury, Dr Cesar Quesada of Ripoll and Prado Medical Group, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, clarified that a comeback for the attacker is possible.
Due to the injury, the 31-year-old Al-Hilal star is set to be out for a lengthy period, which could last about eight months, causing a dent in his playing career. However, Quesada assured (via Marca):
"This is a 31-year-old footballer, still with quite a future ahead of him. Today the recovery from an ACL injury is well standardized and although the times are long, about eight months, it is important to know that the return to the playing field is perfectly possible in very good conditions."
So far this season, the Brazilian has appeared five times across all competitions for Al-Hilal, bagging a goal and two assists. He will be looking to return as soon as possible.
