https://arab.news/jpujn
- Brazilian superstar tours bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, and describes it as 鈥榖est project I鈥檝e ever seen鈥�
- Exhibition showcases proposed host cities 鈥� Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM 鈥� and features interactive displays of the planned 15 stadiums
RIYADH: Brazilian footballer Neymar on Monday expressed his full support for 抖阴短视频鈥檚 bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and said that he believes it has the potential to be the best tournament yet.
After touring the Saudi 2034 bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, Neymar described it as 鈥渢he best project I鈥檝e ever seen鈥� for players and fans alike.
The exhibition showcases the proposed host cities 鈥� Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM 鈥� and includes interactive displays of the 15 stadiums envisioned for the event.
抖阴短视频 is bidding to be the sole host of a 48-team World Cup tournament. It aims to leverage its geographic advantage, given that 60 percent of the world鈥檚 population live within an eight-hour flight of the Kingdom.
Neymar was particularly impressed by the focus of the Saudi bid on the needs of the players, saying: 鈥淭hey鈥檙e thinking about the players 鈥� making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster.鈥�
The 32-year-old Brazilian, who has lived in Riyadh since signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2023, praised the passion for football in the Kingdom and the warm welcome he and his family received. Despite an injury that limited his playing time so far, he noted the enthusiastic support among local fans.
The rapid growth in the development of football in 抖阴短视频 in recent years has included an expansion in the number of youth-training centers to 23, support for more than 300,000 boys and girls in school leagues, and an increase in the number of registered football coaches from 700 in 2019 to more than 4,000.
Neymar said he believes this investment in the future of Saudi football will pay off, adding: 鈥淭hey will definitely be more competitive in 2034.鈥�
He also acknowledged the influence he and other international soccer superstars who have relocated to the Kingdom, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are having on the nation鈥檚 football scene.
鈥淲e want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things, and to bring joy to everyone with our football,鈥� he said.
抖阴短视频 submitted its official bid for the 2034 World Cup, which has the theme 鈥淕rowing. Together,鈥� in July. A decision on the host is due to be made on Dec. 11 during a FIFA Congress.