The saga of Neymar’s time with Al-Hilal has reached a swift and, for the Saudi Pro League club, largely unfulfilling conclusion. Just months after arriving with immense fanfare and a reported €100 million annual salary, the Brazilian superstar has seen his contract terminated, marking yet another twist in a career often defined by both brilliance and turbulence.
Reports emerging from Saudi Arabia, and corroborated by multiple sources, indicate that Neymar did not concede any of his financial entitlements during the termination process. This detail, highlighted by Saudi sports journalist Ali Al-Daie, suggests a clean break financially, despite the on-field struggles that plagued his brief stint in Riyadh.
Neymar’s move to Al-Hilal in August 2023 was heralded as a major coup for the Saudi Pro League, which was aggressively pursuing high-profile players with lucrative contracts. Following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané, Neymar was expected to elevate the league’s profile and attract a wider audience. However, his impact was severely limited by injury.
In just seven appearances for Al-Hilal, Neymar managed to score only one goal. A serious knee injury sustained in October 2023 effectively derailed his season, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. The injury cast a long shadow over his future, and ultimately contributed to the mutual decision to end the partnership.
The termination of his Al-Hilal contract brings Neymar back to a crossroads. He has now re-signed with his boyhood club, Santos, on a six-month contract, a move fueled by a deep personal connection and, according to reports, even a plea utilizing an AI-generated voice of the legendary Pelé. This return represents a significant shift in trajectory for a player once considered one of the world’s most valuable assets.
Neymar’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, which preceded his move to Saudi Arabia, was also marked by a sense of unfulfilled potential. After arriving in Paris in 2017 for a world-record fee of €222 million, he lifted five Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups, scoring 118 goals in 173 appearances. Yet, the elusive Champions League title remained out of reach. Despite forming a formidable attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, PSG consistently fell short in Europe’s premier club competition.
His time in Paris wasn’t without its challenges. Injuries frequently hampered his progress, and a strained relationship with sections of the PSG fanbase ultimately contributed to his exit. Reports suggest that Kylian Mbappé even made Neymar’s departure a condition for renewing his own contract in 2022, highlighting the internal dynamics at the French club.
The narrative surrounding Neymar has often centered on his extraordinary talent juxtaposed with a perceived lack of consistency and a penchant for off-field distractions. Dubbed “the prince who never became king,” he has consistently showcased moments of breathtaking skill – dazzling dribbles, audacious flicks, and a flair for the dramatic – but has struggled to translate that brilliance into sustained success at the highest level.
His return to Santos, while sentimental, raises questions about his current form and fitness. At 32, and after a significant knee injury, it remains to be seen whether he can recapture the magic that once made him a global superstar. The six-month contract suggests a cautious approach from both player and club, allowing Neymar an opportunity to rediscover his passion for the game and potentially rebuild his career.
The financial implications of this move are also noteworthy. While his salary at Santos will undoubtedly be a fraction of what he earned at PSG and Al-Hilal, the move represents a return to his roots and a chance to play in a less demanding environment. It also allows him to remain in contention for a place in the Brazilian national team, where he is the all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.
The failed experiment in Saudi Arabia serves as a cautionary tale for the Pro League, highlighting the challenges of integrating high-profile players into a relatively new and evolving footballing landscape. While the league has undoubtedly attracted attention and investment, the success of these signings will ultimately be measured by on-field performance and the long-term development of the game in the region.
Neymar’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, marked by moments of brilliance, frustrating injuries, and controversial transfers. His return to Santos represents a new chapter, a chance to reconnect with his past and potentially rewrite his future. Whether he can finally fulfill his potential and cement his legacy as one of the greatest players of his generation remains to be seen.
