Neymar to terminate his contract. This decision marks the end of a brief and tumultuous chapter for the 32-year-old Brazilian star, who was once celebrated as one of the greatest players globally.
Despite his illustrious career, Neymar's time at Al-Hilal was marred by an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained while on international duty with Brazil in October 2023. This injury sidelined him for a considerable part of the season, limiting his contributions to just seven matches, during which he managed to score one goal and provide two assists. Nonetheless, he played a role in the club's success, being part of the squad that clinched the Saudi Pro League title last season.
Neymar's initial contract with Al-Hilal was signed in August 2023, following his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €90 million (approximately $94 million). The contract was meant to last through this summer's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, scheduled between June 15 and July 13.
In an official statement shared on social media, Al-Hilal expressed gratitude for Neymar's contributions during his tenure: "The club extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Neymar for his efforts while part of Al-Hilal." This acknowledgment highlights the impact of his arrival, despite the setbacks he faced.
After joining Al-Hilal, Neymar's career took an unexpected turn as he dealt with a series of injuries. His ACL injury was particularly severe and occurred just a few months after his transfer. While he did manage to score in a match against F.C. Nassaji Mazandaran in the AFC Champions League, fans had hoped for a more prolific performance from the Brazilian forward.
As speculation grows about Neymar's future, his representatives have yet to confirm his next steps. However, Brazilian media outlets have reported potential interest from his childhood club, Santos, for a short-term return. Santos supporters have been buzzing with excitement, even creating a promotional video featuring the voice of the late football legend Pelé, urging Neymar to wear the iconic No. 10 jersey once again.
While Neymar previously denied plans to return to Santos during a visit to Brazil in June 2024, he has recently hinted at the possibility of playing for another Brazilian club, Flamengo, or returning to Santos in the future. Earlier in January, Neymar made headlines for his remarks about his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, who now plays for Real Madrid. During a podcast hosted by World Cup winner Romario, Neymar noted that Mbappe became "a little jealous" after Lionel Messi joined PSG in August 2021, suggesting that big egos affected the team's performance in crucial matches.
Neymar remains focused on regaining his fitness and securing more playing time in preparation for the upcoming World Cup in North America next year, which could be his last chance to claim the prestigious trophy. With 79 goals for the national team, the anticipation of his next move is palpable, especially as he contemplates a return to Santos after leaving the club in 2013 to join Barcelona, followed by a record transfer to PSG for €222 million in August 2017.
Zainab Y.
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