Spanish midfielder Gabriel Veiga says he turned down a move to Napoli as he didn’t think he would get the playing time he needed with the Partenopei. The 21-year-old opted to make the move to Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Ahli in the summer, despite having reportedly agreed personal terms with Napoli.
Speaking with Spanish paper AS (via gianlucadimarzio.com), Veiga explained why he decided not to make the move to Italy, insisting that he didn’t move to the Middle East for the money:
“As always in the transfer market, teams have lists of preferences in different positions, the most important ones and those needed to reinforce. Obviously, we received an offer from Napoli, which is a great team. No one doubts that, and I will always say it. And I liked the project, thinking about how I could be important within a big club that will play in the Champions League.”
However, he went on to explain that something changed from Napoli’s side: “But in football, everything changes from one day to another, and there comes a time when the club’s vision towards me, for X reasons, changes. So as a player, I thought, and still think, that it wasn’t the right place to feel important or to play the minutes I believed were necessary to continue growing after a season in which I was very important.”
For this reason, the 2002-born player preferred to move to Arabia: “And in the end, I think I am a player who needs that importance from the start. And especially to arrive in a new place, given that it was ultimately Saudi Arabia. I needed to feel important and trusted. It couldn’t happen in Naples, but I harbor no resentment towards them. Furthermore, I wish them the best because I think they are a great club. But I believe I made the right decision to continue growing, as I said before.”
Veiga explained that he did not choose Arabia for money: “The economic aspect is secondary. More important is how you can continue to grow as a player, feel important, have a coach who calls you four or five times a day, as Matthias (Jaissle) did. That is the most important thing for me: sharing great moments but also having a project behind it. It’s not just about money.”
He added, “And among the available options, I believe it was the best way to continue growing and evolving, sharing the dressing room with great players, experiencing a new adventure. And I am also sure that it will help me mature a lot, and I am sure that I will be a better player after my time there, which I don’t know how long it will last, but I hope it will be very good.”
Finally, he concluded, “The goal is to improve day by day. And I believe that, even if people don’t understand it, I’m not worried because I am very clear about the reasons why I went there. And also to feel important in a team with great stars. Sharing everyday life with Mahrez, Firmino… it’s not something everyone can say. When the time came, for me, it was very clear. It was my decision and mine alone, and the truth is that I am very confident in the decision I made.”
