Neymar’s contract with Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal terminated with mutual consent

Neither party disclosed the specifics of the termination following the 32-year-old Brazilian, previously regarded as one of the top players globally, having only participated in seven games for the club, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Although he has been out since October 2023 because of an ACL injury, former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player Neymar contributed to the team that clinched last season’s Saudi league title.

Their agreement was set to end following Al-Hilal’s involvement in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled for June 15 to July 13 in the United States.

The club stated in a message shared on its social media platforms that it “extends its gratitude and appreciation to Neymar for his contributions during his time with Al-Hilal.” The forward transferred to the Saudi club from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 for 90 million euros ($94 million), part of numerous deals that established the Arab nation as a significant new player in the global soccer market. However, Neymar sustained his ACL injury, the most severe of his career, while playing for Brazil just months after joining Al-Hilal.

Neymar made his comeback in October and last played for the Saudi team in November. The Brazilian expressed in various interviews that there were uncertainties about coach Jorge Jesus relying on him for the remainder of the season.

Brazilian media has also reported that Neymar and his father are interested in a six-month return to his boyhood club Santos, where he achieved national fame and his first caps for Brazil before he joined Barcelona in 2013.

Neymar won six titles at Santos, including the Brazilian Cup in 2010 and the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 2011. In June, during a visit to one of his social projects in Brazil, the striker denied he was eyeing a return to the club.