Saudi giants Al-Hilal terminate Neymar Junior contract ahead of Santos move

For the first time in Neymar Junior's career, he is a free agent. The Brazilian attacker has agreed to end his deal with Al-Hilal only 18 months after arrival in Saudi Arabia as one of their Star recruits. Early in his time in the middle east, a cross -union in the cross seal kept him out of operation for the majority of his spell there.

However, the Brazilian superstar is not expected that he will not be connected for a long time, with a deal that already corresponded to bring him back to his first club Santos, who recently returned to Serie A in Brazil. The deal, according to Marca, runs to the World Cup 2026 and has an option for a further annual extension.

If the Saudi Pro League was a little less blush for cash, it would be a devastating deal. Neymar joined the Saudi-Arab football revolution from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for € 90 million, while the Ligue 1 champions supported by Qatari tried to relocate him from their wage account. In the course of the two years, Neymar would earn € 200 million, with a potential for € 163.5 million on top of that in extra commercial deals, according to Sport. The contract termination is said to cost Al-Hilal € 62 million, because the deal ends six months earlier than expected.

During his time in Saudi Arabia, the 32-year-old only made 7 performances and scored a unique goal. After he had recovered from his cruciate ligament injury, suffered from Brazilian duty, Neymar was not registered by Al-Hilal for the Saudi-Pro League, a sign that they wanted to go from him. Although he is fit for a few months, Neymar only played 42 minutes this season.

His motivation at Santos is, apart from returning to regular action, probably the World Cup 2026. The showpiece event in Canada, Mexico and the United States is probably the last chance of Neymar to lift the biggest trophy that is missing in his cabinet. He was reportedly offered to Barcelona before he came to Santos, and last week Barcelona sports director Deco declared that Neymar would be welcome at every club in the world.