The eye-watering money Neymar has sacrificed to seal emotional Santos return as Saudi contract scrapped
Brazilian superstar Neymar's nightmare in the Middle East is over after an injury-hit 18 months.
The former Barcelona man has had his Al-Hilal contract mutually terminated after he made just seven appearances for the club. The 32-year-old joined the Saudi Pro League side in a £77.6million deal from PSG in August 2023. He made a positive start but sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to return to match fitness.
He has netted just once for the current champions. An Al-Hilal statement read: "The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career."
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE as Celtic and Rangers plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs eye signings
Brazil’s all-time top scorer has had to give up an eye-watering amount of money to make his emotional Santos return possible. His contract was worth a mammoth £86m per year - that is £1.65m per week. According to multiple sources, including Fabrizio Romano, Neymar has sacrificed an astonishing £52m to make his Saudi Arabia exit before he heads to South America. He is expected to sign a short-term deal, at a much lower salary, at the club where he began his career.
Neymar remains the world's most expensive footballer following his £200m switch from Barcelona to PSG in 2017. MLS side Chicago Fire had tried to bring him to the United States but his Santos return looks imminent. Inter Miami had also been linked with reuniting Neymar with his former Barca team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
