Brazilian football superstar Neymar has concluded his 18-month tenure with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, a period marred by injuries.
The club announced on Monday that they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract. Despite a commendable salary of approximately $104 million annually, Neymar has played only seven matches at Al-Hilal since his arrival in August 2023.
Neymar, who previously played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, moved to Saudi Arabia, following football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. However, two months after his move, Neymar suffered a significant knee injury during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil, which sidelined him for a year. He briefly returned with two appearances in late 2023 but was soon out again due to a hamstring injury.
Jorge Jesus, the coach of Al-Hilal, expressed disappointment about Neymar’s inability to perform to expected standards, stating, “He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”
In January, Neymar shared his aspirations to participate in the 2026 World Cup, signalling this event as his “last shot” at the prestigious tournament. Despite interest from MLS clubs in the United States, Neymar is reportedly in discussions to return to Brazil, potentially to his former club Santos, where he first rose to fame. This move could mark a significant transition for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, who has netted 79 goals in 127 international appearances.
Neymar’s illustrious career began at Santos, scoring 107 goals in 177 appearances, earning him a reputation as the next Pelé. His transfer to Barcelona in 2013 further elevated his status, contributing to a Champions League victory 2015. His record-setting transfer to PSG in 2017 for 220 million euros made headlines worldwide. Despite winning five Ligue 1 titles and reaching the Champions League final in 2020, internal conflicts and a lack of team synergy led to his exit from PSG and subsequent move to Al-Hilal.
The termination of Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal marks the end of a challenging phase in his career and sets the stage for his next steps in football as he aims to make his final World Cup appearance.
