Mumbai City FC players were excited as they prepare to face Neymar Jr.'s Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League West group stage. The Brazilian superstar, who joined the Saudi club from Paris Saint-Germain in a shock move, is expected to play his first-ever match in India when the two teams meet in Pune in the AFC Champions League.
Also Read: AFC Champions League 2023-24 Draw - Format, Dates, Teams, Groups, Venues, and More
Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 77 goals, has won numerous trophies and accolades in his illustrious career with FC Barcelona and PSG. The Brazilian is an idol to many fans in India and to the players as well.
Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, are the reigning champions of the Indian Super League (ISL), having won their maiden title last season under former coach Sergio Lobera. They also became the first Indian club to qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage, where they finished second behind Iran's Persepolis in their debut campaign.
Also Read: AFC Champions League 2023-24: Mumbai City FC to host Neymar Jr.'s Al Hilal
As the club's name was announced for the AFC Champions League draw with the Saudi club Al Hilal, the players shouted with excitement. Along with Neymar, Al Hilal also includes players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergie Milinkovic-Savic, and Ruben Neves, among others. Group D is made up of three clubs: A l-Hilal, Mumbai City FC, Nassaji Mazandaran, and Navbahor.
The preliminary stage of the continental tournament is set to commence on September 18, with teams being distributed across five groups in both the western and eastern regions. The victors of the ten groups will progress to the knockout rounds, joined by the top three second-place finishers from both the western and eastern sections of the draw.
