Neymar unhappy over state of AFC Champions League pitch

Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly unhappy with the state of the pitch ahead of Al-Hilal’s AFC Champions League clash with Iran’s Nassaji Mazandaran.

Footage posted Sunday on X (former Twitter) showed Nassaji groundskeepers laying thin strips of turf over what appeared to be vast areas of exposed concrete — only three days before the match.

Neymar was quoted as saying: “This is not possible.” And added facepalm and crying-with-laughter emojis.

Some fans took to the platform to warn the Brazilian against taking part in the match.

“Neymar don’t risk it bro, that pitch looks like a death trap,” one wrote. Another simply said: “Welcome to Iran, Neymar.”

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker signed a two-year, $98 million deal with the Riyadh club in August, after six years with the French champions.

Al-Hilal began the defense of their AFC Champions League title with a 1-1 draw at home against Uzbek side Navbahor last month._Arab News