Neymar, the Brazilian football icon, has expressed his unwavering support for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, calling it the best project he has ever encountered in his life. The forward, who currently plays for Al Hilal in Riyadh, recently toured the exhibition showcasing the Kingdom's bid, led by Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit. During the tour, Neymar was introduced to the five proposed host cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM—through interactive digital displays and scaled models of the proposed stadiums.

Neymar, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for over a year, has been impressed by the country's deep passion for football and its ambitious plans for the 2034 World Cup. He emphasized that the bid's focus on both players and fans is what sets it apart. "Everything relates to football," he said. "They're thinking about the players so that there are no long flights and travel time, making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and from the hotel to the game, so that we can recover faster."

The Saudi bid aims to be the first to host a 48-team World Cup as a single nation, promising accessibility with 60% of the world's population within an 8-hour flight and average internal flight times between host cities under two hours. Neymar, who has experienced the growth and investment in football in Saudi Arabia, highlighted the warmth of the people as a standout feature. "I have to admit that I was quite surprised by Saudi Arabia," he said. "When people come here, they have a different, a very positive perspective, just like I did."

Despite a recent injury that has limited his playing time for Al Hilal, Neymar has been touched by the support from local fans during his recovery. He attributes this to the country's youthful population, with 63% under the age of 30. "It creates an incredible buzz because there are so many young people, practically all around my age, who have been following my career for most of my life," he said. "So everywhere I go, I'm very well received; it's overwhelming. I'm very grateful for the kindness that they show not only to me but to my family."

Looking ahead, Neymar is eager to make a significant impact on the game in Saudi Arabia and help shape future generations. "When you become a star, when you become someone important in the football world, I think your influence grows immensely," he reflected. "I know I have a big influence today. I'm aware of my role. We want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things and to bring joy to everyone with our football."

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