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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023</li><li>Injuries have stunted progress in Middle East</li><li>Expected to return to his boyhood club</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Al-Hilal TERMINATE Neymar's contract after just seven appearances - with homecoming transfer to Santos now imminent for Brazil superstar

Saudi Pro League

Al Hilal

Al Akhdoud

Paulista A1

Santos FC

Sao Paulo

<p>The South American superstar, who remains the most expensive player of all-time following his €222 million (£186m/$232m) transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, endured a torrid time with injuries during a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-al-hilal-worst-transfer-football-history/bltb5ae92c60547f31d" target="_blank">forgettable spell in the Saudi Pro League</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He moved to the Middle East in 2023, as he followed Lionel Messi through the exits at PSG, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/suffered-every-day-neymar-tears-12-month-injury-nightmare-brazilian-superstar-al-hilal-return/bltfcf45b0a69316e17" target="_blank">suffered knee ligament damage while on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty</a> with his country a matter of weeks after signing a lucrative contract in Riyadh.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Neymar returned to action in October 2024, only to then pick up a hamstring complaint. With <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-no-pain-no-gain-injury-ravaged-neymar-pushing-himself-limit-saudi-pro-league-al-hilal-latest-return/blt79e24825cb8c7e3c" target="_blank">fitness issues holding him back</a>, and funds to be freed up by moving him on, Al-Hilal have taken the decision to release the 32-year-old forward.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>A statement on the club’s <a href="https://alhilal.com/12894 " target="_blank"><em>official website</em></a> reads: “Al Hilal Club Company and Neymar Jr have agreed to terminate their contractual relationship by mutual consent. The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career.”</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Al Hilal and Neymar Jr. have agreed to terminate the player’s contract by mutual consent.<br><br>Thank you and good luck,Neymar 💙 <a href="https://t.co/9edCVWBGop">pic.twitter.com/9edCVWBGop</a></p>— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alhilal_EN/status/1884011624614543830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT AL-HILAL SAID

<p>Day Crespo, a spokesperson for Neymar in Brazil, has said that the ex-Barcelona star will “comment on his future at a later date”. Despite seeing a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-inter-miami-reunion-lionel-messi-appealing-neymar-brazilian-superstar-reforming-msn-strike-force-mls/blt8ef0038a48c4cda0" target="_blank">reunion with Messi and Luis Suarez at MLS side Inter Miami</a> speculated on, a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-huge-sacrifice-brazilian-superstar-agrees-massive-pay-seal-santos-return-al-hilal/bltdb77b52e1a76abf0" target="_blank">retracing of steps to Santos is being mooted</a>. <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/43589297/al-hilal-neymar-terminate-contract-ahead-santos-move" target="_blank"><em>ESPN</em></a> reports that Neymar is set to rejoin his boyhood club on an initial six-month contract with the option of an extra year.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Neymar is eager to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/brazil-told-no-chance-winning-2026-world-cup-without-neymar-romario-makes-pele-ronaldo-comparison/blt902bb4e0eade9b72" target="_blank">find regular game time somewhere ahead of next summer’s World Cup</a> – which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – and Santos have made no secret of the fact that they would like to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-heading-home-santos-ai-generated-pele-video-convince-brazil-hero-return-talks-al-hilal-loan-transfer/blt59489c55203206cb" target="_blank">bring a prodigal son back home</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

Al-Hilal TERMINATE Neymar's contract after just seven appearances - with homecoming transfer to Santos now imminent for Brazil superstar | Goal.com

Al-Hilal have terminated Neymar’s contract after seeing him make just seven appearances, with the path cleared for the Brazilian to return to Santos.

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