Neymar Leaves Al Hilal after Mutual Agreement

Neymar has officially parted ways with Al Hilal, as announced by the Saudi Pro League champions on X. The decision, made by mutual consent, follows a disappointing stint at the club for Brazil’s all-time top scorer. Neymar joined Al Hilal in August 2023 for a reported £78 million transfer fee, signing a lucrative deal that included an annual salary of £87.5 million and other extravagant perks like a private jet and luxury accommodation.

Despite these investments, Neymar’s contributions were minimal. In seven matches, he scored just one goal and made three assists. This translates to a staggering £31.4 million per goal involvement. His tenure at the club was marred by injuries, including a severe knee injury sustained during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in October 2023. This sidelined him for over a year and even after his return, a hamstring tear ended his playing time at Al Hilal.

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Al Hilal spent at least £209 million on Neymar’s transfer fee and salary, leading critics to describe this deal as one of the worst in football history. Club manager Jorge Jesus openly criticized Neymar’s physical condition, stating, “The truth is that physically, Neymar can no longer play at the level we are used to.”

Neymar’s departure comes as Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to elevate domestic football, attracting stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Neymar, however, reportedly looks to return to Santos, his boyhood club in Brazil. At 32, his chances of representing Brazil in the 2026 World Cup remain uncertain due to ongoing fitness struggles, according to national team coach Dorival Junior.