£131 million for 7 matches: Neymar's contract at Al-Hilal terminated

Neymar's Al-Hilal contract terminated; Brazilian legend nearing return to boyhood club Santos.

Neymar has parted ways with Al Hilal by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League champions announced after a disappointing spell at the club for Brazil’s all-time top scorer.

The club released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), wishing the player success in his future.

The 32-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best.

This comes after Neymar was critcised by Al-Hilal's managed Jorge Jesus in a post-match interview on 16 January. 

"He is a player who leaves no doubt, a world-class player. But the truth is that physically, Neymar can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately," said Jesus.

A Controversial Transfer

Neymar signed with Al Hilal in August 2023 for a reported fee of £78 million, transferring from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His contract included an annual salary of £87.5 million and extravagant perks, such as a private jet, a luxury house with staff, and a £70,000 bonus for every Al Hilal victory.

Additionally, Neymar earned £435,000 for every social media post promoting Saudi Arabia.

The Brazilian forward’s time at Al Hilal has been described by critics as one of the worst transfer deals in football history, considering the significant investment and minimal returns.

Al Hilal has spent at least £209 million on Neymar’s transfer fee and salary, raising questions about the wisdom of the deal.

Neymar’s signing was seen as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to elevate its domestic football league, with high-profile players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema also joining Saudi clubs.

Over his 18-month stint, Neymar earned an estimated £131 million in salary and bonuses, amounting to £21.35 million per game for the seven matches he played.

His contributions included one goal and three assists, translating to £31.4 million per direct goal involvement.

Injury woes and limited impact

Neymar’s tenure was marred by injuries, continuing a pattern established during his career. He joined Al Hilal while recovering from an ankle issue and played only sporadically.

A severe knee injury sustained during international duty for Brazil in October 2023 sidelined him for over a year. Upon returning, Neymar suffered a hamstring tear in his second game back, effectively ending his time at the club.

During his career, Neymar has been particularly prone to injuries, with over 130 games missed during his six-year spell at PSG alone.

Despite rigorous medical checks before his Al Hilal transfer, his susceptibility to injuries persisted, leading to limited availability for the Saudi club.

Future prospects

Following his departure from Al Hilal, Neymar is reportedly close to a return to his boyhood club Santos in Brazil.

At 32, his chances of representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup appear slim, with national team coach Dorival Junior excluding him from recent plans due to his ongoing fitness struggles.

While Neymar’s career has delivered moments of brilliance, including his pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-winning side and his record-breaking 79 goals for Brazil, his time at Al Hilal serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by ageing stars in maintaining their peak performance.

As Neymar looks to the future, questions remain about his ability to reclaim his place among football’s elite or whether his career will continue to be overshadowed by injuries.