From Vada Pav To Waah TAJ: India plans a grand welcome for Neymar Jr
The stage is set; the venue is decided, and the date is fixed. Indian football fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the samba star and what better place to entertain Neymar Jr and his team Al-Hilal FC than Amchi Mumbai? Mumbai City FC is placed in Group D of the AFC Champions League fixture, where they will face formidable opponents like Al Hilal.
Mumbai City vs Al Hilal Match Details
The match will take place on 6th November 2023 at DY Patil Stadium Navi-mumbai. 38,000 spectators and fans will get a chance to experience what may be for some a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Brazilian superstar live. Neymar moved to Al-Hilal in the 2023 summer transfer window ending his six-year contract with French league giants Paris Saint Germain.
Also Read: Indian Fans Can Catch A Glimpse Of Neymar In Mumbai, Here’s Your Guide To Meeting The Star
He struck a €90 million deal to move to PIF-owned Al-Hilal. Neymar’s squad will play their home match against Mumbai City FC on 23rd October, surely every Indian football fan will have their eyes glued to their phones and television sets.
The other two contenders in group D are Uzbekistani club Navbahor and Iranian team F.C Nassaji Mazandaran. Mumbai City have lost both their previous league matches and the next team lined up in the city’s way will surely pack the punch, but with no doubt, our tigers won’t back down without a fight.
India plans a grand welcome for Samba Star
Although it will be a tough match our boys will surely gain the experience and it will be an achievement for themselves to be playing in a star-studded match, the Mumbai City players may be having sleepless nights just at the thought of meeting Neymar in person.
Even Mumbai City FC coach Des Buckingham is a huge fan of Neymar, in a light moment he told the media “We will have to introduce him to Mumbai’s favorite, vada pav.” He also said that he wants to see Neymar savoring Indian delicacies.
The match is set to take place during the festive season of Diwali and Mumbai leaves no stone unturned to make the most of the festival of light and we bet that the visitors will be in awe of the marvelous city.
The team is expected to stay at the Trident Hotel at Nariman Point or Vivanta by Taj, these 5-star hotels are the best the island city has to offer. Posters of the seleciao stud are to be put around the stadium and expected sales of Neymar Jr’s Al-Hilal jerseys are to rise as thousands of fans will march to DY Patil Stadium on the 6th of November.
What Mumbai City captain told to media
Mumbai city captain Rahul Bheke in an interview told the media that some of the boys were Ronaldo fans and wanted to be pooled together with Al-Nassr, but Bheke and his fellow mates are really grateful to be playing with the elite of the football world not only will they encounter Neymar but there will also be in the presence of other European stars like Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Aleksandar mitrovic.
Mumbai City FC won the ISL Winners’ Shield last season to qualify for the AFC Championship. All preparations are underway Mumbai City FC are in great form with respect to their previous matches, the fan frenzy is picking up pace on an extravagant level with tickets almost sold out. The city is preparing to welcome the Samba star and his Saudi squad.
Latest Update on Neymar’s Visit to India
Neymar sustained a significant injury during a FIFA World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Uruguay, where he suffered a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee following a tackle by Uruguay’s Nicolas de la Cruz. This incident led to Neymar being carried off the field on a stretcher. This incident confirmed that Neymar won’t be able to travel for 9 months and his availability in the Mumbai City FC vs Al Hilal match has been cancelled.
Also Read: Neymar trip to India canceled? Brazilian star set to miss Mumbai City FC clash due to injury
