• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Neymar’s Saudi Stint Is Over: 1 Goal, 7 Games, More Than $200 Million

The Brazilian legend tore his ACL and hurt his hamstring while with Al Hilal, which spent a staggering sum with little to show for it.

Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

After just seven games over a year and a half, Neymar is leaving the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal spent more than $200 million on salary and transfer fees for the Brazilian legend and got only a single goal to show for it.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who turns 33 next month, is reportedly heading back to his childhood club in Brazil, Santos, where he began his professional career.

Al Hilal said in a statement Monday that the club and Neymar “have agreed to terminate their contractual relationship by mutual consent” and wished him well going forward.

The Saudi club acquired Neymar in August 2023 with a $97.6 million transfer fee to PSG. In October of that year, he scored his only goal for the club during the group stage of the Asian Champions League Elite. That same month, he tore his ACL and meniscus in a World Cup qualifying match. He returned a year later, before sustaining a hamstring injury in November. Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said Neymar “can no longer play at the level we are used to.”

Al Hilal paid Neymar roughly $100 million per year. In leaving the club, he agreed to forfeit between $25 million and $30 million of the $65 million left on his deal through next summer, according to ESPN. That means the club paid him at least $160 million in salary, plus the $97 million they paid PSG for the transfer.

“To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, thank you! I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together,” Neymar posted on social media Tuesday. “To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life.”

Saudi Arabia may be losing one of the world’s most well-known players, but it remains extremely influential in global soccer. Last month, it was awarded the 2034 World Cup in a bidding process that has been criticized for, among other things, FIFA speeding up the process and steering it to the Saudis.

“I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034,” Neymar said in his post. “Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you!!!”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Isaiah Wright, a running back featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U, is playing football for the Alcoa Alloys, a semipro team with the Interactive American Football League on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

‘Last Chance U’ Participants File $30M Lawsuit Against Netflix, Others

Producers of “Last Chance U” allegedly took “unfair advantage” of players.
Nov 26, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Alex Rodriguez watches as the Minnesota Timberwolves lose to the Houston Rockets in overtime at Target Center.

Glen Taylor Has ‘Limited’ Legal Options to Keep Timberwolves

One litigator says it’s usually “very hard to vacate an arbitration award.”
Mark Williams

Failed Deadline Deal Leaves Hornets, Lakers in Unprecedented Territory

The trade would have sent center Mark Williams to Los Angeles.
Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar’s Attack on Drake Peaks With Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Ever

A record 133.5 million viewers tuned in for Lamar’s performance.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.

Caitlin Clark Raves About Indiana Fever’s Offseason Moves

DeWanna Bonner said she came to Indiana to “win another championship.”
February 10, 2025

How Much Have NFL Rookie Salaries Changed in the Last 20 Years?

The increasing NFL salary cap has translated to rising rookie salaries.
Saquon Barkley
February 10, 2025

Saquon Barkley’s Quiet Super Bowl Was Still Worth $250K

The Eagles running back capped his historic season with a middling performance.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Caitlin Clark
February 9, 2025

Ailing Nike Taps Caitlin Clark, Women’s Stars for First Super Bowl Ad..

The 60-second ad includes Clark, Wilson, Ionescu, Chiles, Richardson, and Sabalenka.
Aaron Rodgers
February 9, 2025

The Jets and Aaron Rodgers Are Getting a $49 Million Divorce

The Rodgers era in New Jersey appears to be over.
Travis Kelce
February 9, 2025

Super Bowl Win Could Have Travis Kelce Join Brother in Retirement

Kelce’s fame could making retiring more lucrative than football.
Malcolm Butler
February 9, 2025

NFL Players at Super Bowl React to Possible 18-Game Season

Jameis Winston, Kyren Williams, and others sound off.