Neymar says not 100% fit for Brazil, compares Saudi league to French

By MAURICIO SAVARESE The Associated Press

Brazilian national team's historical top scorer and the star of Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar Jr. attends the official unveiling as a new member of Saudi Al Hilal club at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Al Hilal club reached an agreement on the transfer of the Brazil forward for a reported 90 million euros ($98 million), a record for a league that is now financially backed by the oil-rich state. (AP Photo)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/STR]

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil striker Neymar says he is not fully fit to play in the two opening rounds of World Cup qualifying due to the right ankle injury that has sidelined him since February. The 31-year-old striker left Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal but hasn’t yet debuted for his new club. He also said in a press conference that the Saudi Pro League could be as good as France’s Ligue 1. Brazil will play its first match in World Cup qualifying on Friday in the Amazon city of Belem against Bolivia.