Neymar ends injury-hit tenure at Al-Hilal with mutual agreement

Brazilian football star Neymar has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, ending an injury-hit 18-month tenure that saw him make just seven appearances since joining the club in August 2023.

In a statement released on social media, Al-Hilal expressed gratitude towards Neymar, thanking him for his contributions to the club and wishing him success in his future endeavors.

“The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal and wishes the player success in his career,” the club said.

Neymar, 32, joined Al-Hilal in a move that followed the paths of fellow footballing icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia’s lucrative Pro League. The Brazilian forward, whose reported salary was approximately $104 million annually, endured a series of setbacks during his time with the club.

His most significant blow came just two months after his arrival when he ruptured a cruciate ligament in his left knee while representing Brazil during a World Cup qualifier in October 2023. The injury sidelined him for a year.

Although Neymar made a brief return to action in October and November 2023, appearing in two matches, he sustained a hamstring injury that further hindered his ability to contribute on the pitch.

Neymar has not played since, and reports suggest that the forward is now targeting a comeback for the 2026 World Cup, set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Earlier this month, Neymar told CNN, “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.”

Neymar’s career, which began in his homeland with Santos, where he made a name for himself as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 matches, has been marked by a series of high-profile transfers. After impressing at Santos, he joined Barcelona in 2013 and played alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, helping the team secure the 2015 UEFA Champions League title.

In 2017, Neymar made the move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a world-record transfer fee of €220 million ($230 million). At PSG, he won five Ligue 1 titles and reached the final of the Champions League in 2020, although the team fell short against Bayern Munich. Despite his success at PSG, Neymar’s time in Paris ended unceremoniously as tensions with teammates, particularly with Messi and Kylian Mbappé, led to his departure for Saudi Arabia in 2023.

The termination of Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal raises questions about his future. While there have been reports linking him to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, Brazilian outlets suggest that Santos, his first club, may be in talks to bring the star back to his homeland. A potential return to Brazil could provide Neymar with one last shot at redemption, as he bids farewell to a storied career.