Operation Neymar! Brazil’s superstar is heading for Saudi Arabia on an eye-watering £130m a year – and his unveiling must be fit for the new king!

The scramble is on. Frantic calls have already been made. As you read this, the planet is being scoured for its finest creative talent.

Producers and directors will be dragged out of their daily lives and into first-class seats bound for Riyadh, with no expense spared. Why? Because Neymar is the latest big name heading for the Saudi Pro League – and the unveiling has to be fit for the new king.

The £78million deal to bring the Brazilian from PSG to Al HIlal has been agreed. Mail Sport understands it will see the player earn £130million a year and is likely to be officially announced Tuesday or Wednesday.

But although the ink on the latest mega-contract is not yet dry, Operation Neymar is already active.

Insiders here say a stadium presentation to an adoring public will be the most likely route shortly after the 31-year-old arrives next week. But although the stands may be packed – 60,000 came to see Karim Benzema and his Ballon d’Or – much of the focus will be placed on the millions set to watch online.

The superstar will become the latest high-profile player to make the switch to the kingdom

This is not just a signing for Al Hilal, it is a signing for Saudi, and, although they are up against the clock, Neymar’s unveiling may also be used to showcase another landmark facility in the capital officials feel the world should know about.

Talks will be ongoing with Neymar and his representatives over what he will and will not be obliged to do over the duration of his two-year contract. Similar discussions were held with Cristiano Ronaldo before his switch from Manchester United. 

The Portuguese’s contract is understood to contain various clauses around image rights and marketing commitments.

The Saudis are no longer strangers to any of this. There are at least three events companies, including Newcastle United shirt sponsor Sela, who can go at the drop of a hat.

There has already been iconic content. In 2021, a video of Red Bull’s Formula One car roaring through the deserted narrow streets of Jeddah’s old town quickly went viral.

Neymar will earn £130m a year and may even be unveiled in front of a packed-out stadium

There will be a rush to print Neymar shirts, with the aim of the league to become sustainable

Saudi’s youthful population has a hunger for social media that sets it aside from most others. They are the biggest consumers of YouTube content on the planet.

Experts who have worked on such events as Olympic and World Cup opening ceremonies are likely to be consulted.

One industry expert based here explained: ‘They are up against the clock but they will leave no stone unturned. There is already a lot of talent here, but they will also fly in the best if they need to and if they can get it done in time. The people in charge, be that the Public Investment Fund or Al Hilal, will get whatever they need.

The unveil will only be the start. Already, they will be rushing to print shirts with Neymar’s name on the back. While some may see it as fanciful, the aim of the league itself is to become sustainable.  

The mission to grab a return on those riyals has commenced.