Neymar leaves Saudi Arabia – returns home

Injured Brazilian football star Neymar breaks with Saudi club al-Hilal after 18 months. Brazilian Santos confirms that Neymar returns there.

» Updated: January 28 2025

» Published: January 28 2025

Neymar leaves Saudi Arabia – returns home
Photo: Darko Bandic/AP/TT

al-Hilal announces that they have agreed with the 32-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain star to terminate the contract, which is said to be worth around 104 million dollars per year.

"The club expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Neymar for what he has given during his career", writes al-Hilal in a statement.

Neymar came to Saudi Arabia in August 2023 but only played seven matches with al-Hilal. The forward injured his left knee in Brazil's 0-2 loss to Uruguay in the World Championship qualifiers on October 17 the same year.

He returned with two short appearances for al-Hilal in October and November but then injured his Achilles tendon and has not played since then.

He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately, said al-Hilal's coach Jorge Jesus about Neymar recently.

The star is now returning to Brazilian Santos, which he left almost twelve years ago.

Club chairman Marcelo Teixeira confirms on social media, where he writes:

"It's time, Neymar. It's time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts. Welcome our boy Ney!...The Santos family is waiting for you with open arms".

Neymar himself has said that he has set his sights on the World Championship 2026.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald

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