Asian Champions League draw reveals where Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will play with their Saudi clubs
- Star names who have moved to mega-spending Saudi Pro League sides learn their fate in the draw for the group stage
- Neymar’s new club Al Hilal will seek a record-extending fifth Champions League crown
Saudi Pro League superstar Neymar will get his first taste of Asian Champions League football after last season’s runners-up Al Hilal were drawn against Iran’s Nassaji Mazandaran, Mumbai City of India and Uzbekistan’s Navbahor in the group stage on Thursday.
Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema will also play in the group stage of Asia’s premier club football competition, where they will seek to power their clubs to victory against sides from across Asia.
With billions of dollars in oil wealth, Saudi Arabia has been on a buying spree of sports assets as part of plans to diversify its economy and attract tourism and investment.
Al Hilal lead the AFC Champions League for most title wins, with four to their name.
With the flamboyant Brazilian playmaker Neymar in their ranks for the 2023-24 season, Al Hilal hope to win the title for a fifth time.
