Brazilian football star Neymar and Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal have mutually agreed to terminate his contract after an 18-month stint plagued by injuries. The club confirmed the decision in a statement on Monday, expressing gratitude for Neymar’s contributions and wishing him success in his future endeavors.
Neymar, 32, joined Al-Hilal in August 2023 on a reported annual salary of $104 million, following his record-breaking transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Barcelona in 2017. However, his time with the Saudi club was marred by injuries, limiting him to only seven appearances.
Just two months after arriving in Riyadh, Neymar suffered a severe setback during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in October 2023, rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee. This injury sidelined him for nearly a year, and his return to action was brief, with two appearances in late 2024 before a hamstring injury further hampered his progress.
Al-Hilal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, recently acknowledged the challenges Neymar faced in maintaining his previous performance levels, stating, “He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”
Despite the setbacks, Neymar remains determined to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance, and I will do everything I can to play in it,” he told CNN earlier this month.
Reports suggest that Neymar is considering a return to his boyhood club, Santos, in Brazil, as his next move. The forward, who has scored 79 goals in 127 matches for Brazil, was once hailed as the heir to Pele.
During his illustrious career, Neymar scored 107 goals in 177 appearances for Santos before joining Barcelona in 2013. He played a key role in Barcelona’s Champions League triumph in 2015 and won a gold medal with Brazil at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
At PSG, Neymar clinched five Ligue 1 titles and reached the 2020 UEFA Champions League final alongside Kylian Mbappé, though they fell short against Bayern Munich. However, his time at PSG ended in 2023 amid tensions and a push by the club’s management for his exit.
With his contract at Al-Hilal now terminated, Neymar’s next step is anticipated to mark the twilight of his career, potentially offering a final chapter in his home country, where his journey to global stardom began.
