“Neymar will not be registered by Al Hilal to compete in the Saudi Pro League in early 2025. The club is seriously considering terminating Neymar’s contract early to cut down on the current huge costs. Therefore, when the winter transfer window opens (January 2025), Neymar will have two options: return to Brazil to play for Santos or go to Inter Miami to reunite with Messi,” UOL Esporte (Brazil) said based on a source from MBC Shahid (Saudi Arabia).
Neymar joined Al Hilal in August 2023 from PSG with a transfer fee of up to 97.3 million USD and an annual salary of nearly 80 million USD, with a 2-year contract.
However, the 32-year-old star has been plagued by fitness and injury problems. He has only played 7 games so far, including 5 last season, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists, and 2 recent appearances as a substitute in the AFC Champions League.
Neymar has just suffered another hamstring injury and will be out for another 4 to 6 weeks, Al Hilal Club has confirmed. This has further disappointed the high expectations from this famous star in the Saudi Arabian team. Therefore, it has led to a very high possibility that Al Hilal will soon release Neymar’s contract from the beginning of 2025 to reduce the burden of paying wages, while his return to competition is still very unclear.
“Moreover, Neymar is about to turn 33 in February 2025. Al Hilal has completely lost patience. While the current squad of this team is still capable of conquering all championship goals in Saudi Arabia and the continent, as well as participating in the 2025 Club World Cup,” UOL Esporte expressed.
In case his contract is terminated early, Neymar has two options for the next stage of his career. That is to return to his old club Santos in Brazil, or to go to Inter Miami in the US to reunite with Messi and Suarez. However, joining either of these two clubs has financial problems.
Santos have been open to re-signing Neymar, but only in the summer of 2025 and on a free transfer. The player would also have to take a significant pay cut to join his former club. Inter Miami are open to signing Neymar, but David Beckham’s team needs support from MLS (Major League Soccer) in terms of easing the salary cap and the designated player quota.
Neymar has bought a property in Miami (USA), indicating that he may choose to play for Inter Miami with Messi. This team will also participate in the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, so it is in need of reinforcements.
Neymar said earlier that he was disappointed to be injured again, but hoped that things would not be too complicated and that he would return to competition soon. Neymar is aiming to gradually return to the field and reach his best form to participate in the 2026 World Cup with the Brazilian team.
