Neymar makes huge financial sacrifice to seal emotional transfer reunion after Saudi exit
Neymar makes huge financial sacrifice to seal emotional transfer reunion after Saudi exit
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Neymar has sacrificed a jaw-dropping £52million in order to leave Saudi Arabia ahead of re-signing for boyhood club Santos. The former Barcelona star joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain for a record £77m in 2023 but made just seven appearances 18 months following a devastating ACL injury and further setbacks. Neymar was the biggest name to move to the Saudi Pro League after Cristiano Ronaldo but his time in the Middle East goes down as an underwhelming chapter in a complicated career.
At 32, the Brazilian now hopes to reignite his career with Santos, who he left to sign for Barcelona in 2013 in his pursuit to become the best footballer in the world. But his homecoming won't come without a cost, as ESPN report that in mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Al-Hilal, Neymar will miss out on the chance to earn a further £52m in wages.
It's explained that the former Brazil captain could make up some of the shortfall by having himself and his father become part of an investment fund which has shares in Santos. His return to the Brazilian giants hasn't been confirmed but is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Al-Hilal, who won last season's Saudi Pro League in Neymar's prolonged absence, said in a statement on Monday: "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.".
Neymar remains the world's most expensive footballer following his £200m switch from Barcelona to PSG in 2017. He moved to Saudi Arabia claiming that he wanted to 'write new sporting history' before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
