The Brazilian star joined the Saudi team in the summer of 2023
Neymar made a surprising move in his career in the summer of 2023 when he decided to leave Europe for a new adventure in the Middle East. After six seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazilian took a radical turn by signing with Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
The Riyadh-based club paid €90 million for his transfer and secured him in a two-year contract. According to Fabrizio Romano at the time of the deal, Neymar is set to earn a total of €300 million, which could go up to €400 million based on add-ons and sponsorship deals.
However, the expiration date of his contract is already looming: Neymar’s current deal with Al Hilal ends in June 2025. This suggests that his time in Saudi Arabia could be short, especially since his first season was cut short by a severe injury.
Neymar’s uncertain future
The former Barcelona player only got to make five appearances with the Saudi giants before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee in October 2023, while playing for Brazil in a World Cup Qualifier loss to Uruguay.
This injury ended his season, raising questions about his future. Will the club want to extend his contract to see more of him on the field? Or will they let him go?
Neymar will be 33 when his current contract expires, so it might be too soon for him to consider retirement. But if Ney leaves Riyadh, where will he go next? A return to Europe would be thrilling for his fans, while he would also have the option of making a sensational return to Santos.
It’s too early to predict what will happen next year, but as the expiration date of his contract draws nearer, Neymar’s future will certainly be a hot topic in world football.