Goalkeeper leaves Futsal League for Cristiano Ronaldo’s team and details life in Saudi Arabia | futsal

A Futsal League It is one of the most competitive in the world. And exchanging this fierce dispute for the Arab World is a difficult decision, especially in a championship that was founded just three years ago. This has been the routine of João Netoformer goalkeeper of Jaraguawhich today defends the Al-Nassrteam Cristiano Ronaldo. In a chat with gethe player spoke about life in futsal in Saudi Arabia, as well as detailing his contact with the stars of the club’s football team.

João Neto is from João Pessoa, from Paraíba. In the Futsal League, the goalkeeper played for Concórdia (2016 and 2017) and Jaraguá (2018 to 2024). At the beginning of the year, he left futsal in Santa Catarina for Saudi Arabia, today he defends Al-Nassr’s goal. And if in football the country invested heavily in teams for the season, the first question is obvious: what is Arab futsal like?

— It is the third year of futsal in Saudi, the Saudi League. They want to grow. There are already a lot of Brazilians in the League. It’s a really cool way of exchange for them, where we take a little of our experience, our experience, to help the growth of players here. If they maintain this approach of continuing to invest in foreign commissions, with the money they have here, although, once again, I repeat, very far from the field, but for the reality of our sport, foreigners receive good salaries here. So, I think the trend is to grow — said the player.

The structure in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is the same as that of the football team, which has stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané It is Octaviowhich, just like João Netois from Paraíba, João Pessoa.

Meeting these stars is truly a privilege, but it is a fact that CR7, the most popular, is also the least accessible.

The environment is surreal. It’s really cool to know that you’re in the same club as legends. The court and the field are separated by a street, which is the parking street. We come across them in the morning. Cristiano has a little more complicated access, but I managed to take my photo with him. It’s cool to know that you’re at the same club, although in completely different realities, with giant names in football, like Cristiano, Mané, and Otávio.

— João Neto.

If in football, Al-Nassr is well behind the leader Al-Hilal, in futsal, the team has been doing well in the Saudi League. The team qualified at the top in the first phase. In 18 games in Group A, João Neto’s team won 15 times, drew once and lost only two matches.

Currently, the League is in the final phase, with two groups of four teams each. Al-Nassr is in Group B and started the dispute with victory.

Living in Riyadh for three months, João Neto commented on the adaptation period at the club that is seeking its first national title in futsal.

— I arrived three months ago and I want to be champion of the League. Winning this League would be a dream for me. Especially because it would be Al-Nassr’s first title. The training routine here is different than in Brazil. We trained in two periods there, and one here. But the structure of the club is wonderful — said the goalkeeper.

At 32 years old, João Neto has a lot of wood to burn. It is worth remembering that the player was called up in 2018 for the Brazilian team. However, a serious injury prevented him from defending the hopscotch.

In Saudi Arabia, the objective of the Brazilian, who, in addition to being a player, is a journalist by training, is to continue working outside the country for a few more years.

— I intend to stay here for a few more years. Financially it is important for me and my family. The ambition to be a champion, also the financial part, the opportunity to be in a different country with my family, to experience really cool things is important. I want to spend a few years here — he added.

On the field, Al-Nassr should not surpass Al-Hilal in the Saudi Championship. In futsal, however, the team arrives very strong to seek an unprecedented title. Who knows, at the end of the season, a Brazilian could lift the champion’s trophy on the courts.