Neymar has terminated his contract with Al-Hilal; the Brazilian maestro is close to rejoining his child club Santos.
Neymar has parted ways with Al Hilal by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League champions announced after a disappointing spell at the club for Brazil’s all-time top scorer.
The club released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), wishing the player success in his future.
The 32-year-old injured a knee in Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to regain his best.
This comes after Neymar was blasted by Al-Hilal's coach Jorge Jesus in a post-match interview on January 16.
"He is a player in whom there are no doubts, a world-class player. But the truth is, physically, Neymar cannot play at the level that we are used to anymore," said Jesus. "Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately."
A Controversial Transfer
Neymar signed with Al Hilal after a reported £78 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2023. His contract included an annual salary of £87.5 million with lavish perks that included the use of a private jet, a luxurious home with staff, and a £70,000 bonus for every Al Hilal win. In addition, Neymar was paid £435,000 every time he made a social media post for the promotion of Saudi Arabia.
Critics say the Brazilian forward's time at Al Hilal represents one of the worst transfer deals ever in football history based on the huge amounts involved and few returns.
If we factor in a minimum £209 million in transfer fees and salaries for Neymar, there arises a grey area about whether the transfer deal was wise at all.
Neymar's signing was understandably viewed as part of the larger spectrum of enhancing the domestic football league, which has seen superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema join golf clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Over 18 months, Neymar has reportedly received £131 million in salary and bonuses, averaging £21.35 million per game for the seven appearances he made. One goal and three assists were his contributions, which worked out to £31.4 million per combined direct goal involvement.
Injury woes and limited impact
Neymar’s tenure was marred by injuries, continuing a pattern established during his career. He joined Al Hilal while recovering from an ankle issue and played only sporadically.
A severe knee injury sustained during international duty for Brazil in October 2023 sidelined him for over a year. Upon returning, Neymar suffered a hamstring tear in his second game back, effectively ending his time at the club.
During his career, Neymar has been particularly prone to injuries, with over 130 games missed during his six-year spell at PSG alone.
Despite rigorous medical checks before his Al Hilal transfer, his susceptibility to injuries persisted, leading to limited availability for the Saudi club.
Future prospects
Following his departure from Al Hilal, Neymar is reportedly close to a return to his boyhood club Santos in Brazil.
At 32, his chances of representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup appear slim, with national team coach Dorival Junior excluding him from recent plans due to his ongoing fitness struggles.
While Neymar’s career has delivered moments of brilliance, including his pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-winning side and his record-breaking 79 goals for Brazil, his time at Al Hilal serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by ageing stars in maintaining their peak performance.
As Neymar looks to the future, questions remain about his ability to reclaim his place among football’s elite or whether his career will continue to be overshadowed by injuries.