On January 27, Al Hilal officially announced the end of their partnership with Neymar on mutually agreed terms. The Saudi Pro League club thanked the Brazilian superstar for his contributions and wished him success in his future career.
Neymar joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 for a record-breaking $98 million transfer fee, along with an astronomical salary of $110 million per season. However, since moving to Saudi Arabia, he has faced significant injuries that have limited his playing time.
Neymar leaves Saudi Arabia to return to Brazil
His tenure at Al Hilal was not as smooth as expected due to a severe knee injury that sidelined him for over a year and even raised concerns about his retirement. Nevertheless, terminating the contract early saved Al Hilal a staggering $65 million in wages.
Although Al Hilal did not recoup their initial investment, they maintained a positive relationship with Neymar. He was appointed as an ambassador for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Neymar is returning to Brazil, where he began his professional career. Santos, his childhood club, has approached Al Hilal with a one-year contract offer. Neymar previously shone at Santos, scoring 136 goals in 225 matches from 2009 to 2013.
Neymar is expected to arrive in Brazil on January 29, when Santos plays against Sao Bernardo. However, his immediate appearance on the field is unlikely. Santos plans to officially welcome Neymar on February 2 during a match against Sao Paulo at the Pacaembu stadium.
Neymar’s first official match back could be on February 5, coinciding with his 33rd birthday, when Santos faces Botafogo in the seventh round of the Campeonato Paulista.
