Football enthusiasts in India are buzzing as Brazilian superstar Neymars new club, Al Hilal, finds itself grouped alongside ISL side Mumbai City in the Asian Champions League draw that happened on Thursday.This grouping could potentially mark the debut match on Indian soil for Neymar, who recently secured a groundbreaking multi-million dollar deal with Saudi club Al Hilal.✋🏽😜🤚🏽 pic.twitter.com/A8AwVXFQIZ— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) August 23, 2023The impending fixture is slated to take place at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune after Mumbai Citys home ground Andheri Sports Complex was unable to meet the stringent requirements stipulated by the Asian Champions League.While the commencement of the group stage is scheduled for September 18, the specific date of Al Hilals match in India remains uncertain, pending the release of the final match schedule.Mumbai City, pitted in Group D alongside Al Hilal, will also face Irans FC Nassaji Mazandaran and Uzbekistans Navbahor Namangan.#TheIslanders are placed in Pot 3️⃣ in tomorrows AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw! 🇮🇳मंडळी! Which teams would you like to see us grouped with 👀#IslandersInAsia #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 @TheAFCCL pic.twitter.com/MkYrBL2DFs— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) August 23, 2023Mumbai City ready to upset Al Hilal as manager ready to face best in worldAl Hilal, recognised as the most successful club in the history of the AFC Champions League with four titles, is further bolstered by the presence of new signings like Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and Malcom. The club also signed former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus to take the reins.Mumbai Citys coach, Des Buckingham, expressed his teams eagerness to face the best in the world. Last season, Mumbai City, owned by the formidable City Football Group, achieved a remarkable feat, clinching second place in Group B of the Asian Champions League. This accomplishment was marked by victories against Iraqs Air Force club and a draw against UAEs Al Jazira.While previous years have seen star footballers like Pele, Lionel Messi, Oliver Kahn, and Alessandro del Piero gracing Indian turf, the significance of Neymars potential appearance lies in the high-stakes nature of the Asian Champions League.
