The speculation surrounding Neymar’s departure from Saudi Arabia has been confirmed. Saudi club Al Hilal announced last night that they have mutually terminated their contract with the Brazilian star.
On Monday, Neymar’s first club, Santos, hinted at his return, stating that the player was finalizing an exit from Al Hilal. Within hours, the news turned into reality.
Al Hilal acknowledged Neymar’s contributions in a social media statement, expressing gratitude and wishing him success. Neymar joined Al Hilal in 2023 from PSG in a deal worth an annual $104 million. However, injuries limited his appearances to just seven matches during his stint in Saudi Arabia.
Neymar had arrived in Saudi Arabia with high hopes, following Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema into the league. Unfortunately, his journey was marred by setbacks. Just two months after joining, a knee injury during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil sidelined him for a year. While he briefly returned to action in late 2024, he was injured again, putting an end to his season.
Rumors of Neymar’s departure from Saudi Arabia grew stronger over time. Initially linked with a move to Major League Soccer, the focus shifted to Santos, his boyhood club. Santos has expressed optimism about Neymar’s return, marking a potential homecoming for the Brazilian icon.
As Neymar steps away from Al Hilal, all eyes are now on his next chapter—one that may see him reignite his legacy at Santos.
