People are furious at Neymar flying on a private 747 from Paris to Saudi Arabia
Neymar has travelled on a plane like no other to begin his outrageously expensive football contract in Saudi Arabia.
The legendary Brazilian footballer is joining the Al-Hilal club after being granted a transfer from his French team Paris Saint-Germain and he was given a golden opportunity to arrive in style.
He was transported from Paris to Riyadh on the world's most luxurious Boeing 747-400.
Insider reports the plane is owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal and is worth about $500 million.
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Just casually.
النجم العالمي البرازيلي نيمار لاعب نادي الهلال السعودي 🇸🇦
— عشاق عالم الطيران (@AviationWG) August 18, 2023
على متن القصر الطائر الى العاصمة الرياض
طائرة الأمير الوليد بن طلال الخاصة من طراز الجامبو #B747 #عن_الطيران pic.twitter.com/YaaMdol8J2
Not only that, but SPORTbible also claims the plane originally had 400 seats, however these were removed to make room for some fairly luxury items.
The boring seats that would normally help transport hundreds of people from A to B were replaced by a dining room for 14 people, several bedrooms and a golden throne.
While that's great for Neymar, the move has sparked outrage online, with some people furious at the idea that a humungous 747-400 helped transport one person and their entourage.
One person said: "Can’t believe I have to eat out of paper straws while people fly private! Such a waste of time."
Another added: "Thank God I washed out that jar of tomato sauce before recycling."
A third declared: "I am never drinking out of a paper straw ever again."
It's unclear how many people were on the plane from Paris to Riyadh but it certainly wasn't the 400 that would normally be there.
Sat here with a damp straw
— ewan (@h1dingtonight) August 20, 2023
Cheers Neymar it’s a-bit too sunny init 👍🏻 https://t.co/TfXvkrjI0H pic.twitter.com/lLnwhiU4rX
Many have complained that all those plastic straws, reusable bags and cups have been for nothing if giant planes are allowed to roam the planet for a few passengers.
A 747 usually emits around 8.4 metric tons of CO2 for every hour in flight, and this flight is just over six hours.
That's a little more than 53 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Before he headed to Saudi Arabia to behind the next chapter of his career, he revealed why he was saying goodbye to Paris and hello to Riyadh.
“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places," he said.
"I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment.
“I have heard a lot and learned that I am following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired place.”
Stewart Perrie