Brazilian football icon Neymar has ended his short-lived and injury-ridden adventure at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The club announced on Monday that they had mutually agreed to terminate the contract of the 32-year-old forward, bringing an abrupt end to a turbulent 18-month period for the star.
In a statement released via social media, Al-Hilal expressed their gratitude to Neymar for his contributions to the team, despite his limited involvement. “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 future endeavors,” the statement read.
Neymar’s time at Al-Hilal was marred by a series of unfortunate injuries, leaving the Brazilian to play only seven matches since his arrival in August 2023. Despite a hefty salary reportedly around $104 million a year, the forward could not make a significant impact on the pitch due to a knee injury sustained while playing for Brazil in October 2023.
The injury, which involved a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee, sidelined Neymar for several months, significantly hindering his return to full fitness. Though he made brief appearances for Al-Hilal in October and November of the same year, another setback in the form of a hamstring injury further derailed his comeback. Since then, Neymar has not featured in any matches for the Saudi club.
This injury-plagued spell has led to growing doubts about Neymar’s ability to compete at the highest level. Al-Hilal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, recently commented on the situation, acknowledging the difficulties Neymar has faced. “He can no longer play at the level we are used to,” said Jesus. “Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”
In January 2025, Neymar himself opened up about his future in football, stating that he still harbors aspirations of playing in the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance,” Neymar told CNN. “I will do everything I can to play in it.”
Despite his struggles in Saudi Arabia, the 32-year-old forward has been linked with a potential return to Brazil, where he made a name for himself at Santos before embarking on his illustrious career in Europe. Reports suggest that Neymar is in talks with his former club, Santos, about a possible return to his roots.
For Neymar, a move back to Brazil could provide a final opportunity to prolong his career and make one last attempt at glory before the curtain falls on his international journey. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 79 goals in 127 appearances for the national team. His career began at Santos, where he scored 107 goals in 177 matches and quickly became one of Brazil’s brightest footballing stars.
Neymar’s subsequent move to Barcelona in 2013 saw him join forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in one of the most fearsome attacking trios in football history. His crowning achievement with Barcelona came in 2015, when he helped secure the Champions League title, defeating Juventus 3-1 in the final.
However, it was his world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017, for a staggering €220 million ($230 million), that truly cemented Neymar’s place in football history. At PSG, Neymar played alongside Kylian Mbappe and Messi, guiding the team to multiple Ligue 1 titles and a dramatic run to the Champions League final in 2020, although they were ultimately defeated by Bayern Munich.
Despite his success at PSG, Neymar’s time in Paris was not without controversy. The trio of Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi struggled to find harmony on the pitch, with personal rivalries affecting team chemistry. In 2023, Neymar was pushed out of PSG and made the move to Al-Hilal, following in the footsteps of fellow footballing legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who had already joined the Saudi league.
Unfortunately, Neymar’s time at Al-Hilal has not lived up to expectations, with injuries robbing him of the chance to showcase his talent in the Saudi Pro League. The club’s decision to part ways with the Brazilian marks the end of an era for the player in the Middle East, where he was expected to make a significant impact.
Looking ahead, Neymar’s future remains uncertain. A move back to Brazil could offer him the opportunity to regain his form and make one last push for international glory with the Brazilian national team. However, with the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, Neymar’s window of opportunity is closing fast.
For now, Neymar’s focus appears to be on recovering from his injuries and proving that he can still compete at the highest level. “I will do everything I can to play in the World Cup,” he reiterated, as he aims to add another chapter to a career that has seen triumph, heartbreak, and countless memories.
As the Brazilian star reflects on his journey, his time at Al-Hilal will be remembered as a brief and challenging chapter in a career that once promised so much more.
Neymar’s career has been nothing short of spectacular, having risen through the ranks of Brazilian football to become one of the world’s most marketable and talented players. His early years at Santos caught the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs, leading to his move to Barcelona. At Barcelona, he quickly adapted to the European style of play, and his success there helped him secure the record-breaking move to PSG. However, his career has been plagued by injuries, which have impacted his ability to maintain peak performance at critical moments.
