Neymar has had his contract with Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal terminated by mutual consent.
The 32-year-old Brazilian joined the club in August 2023 but played only seven matches for the Saudi club and scored one goal. He has been injured for a long period with a knee injury.
The deal was due to expire after Al-Hilal’s participation in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played in June and July in the United States.
The club said in a statement published on its social media channels that it “expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal.”
Full club statement 🔹 pic.twitter.com/oxOrPUereF
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) January 27, 2025
Neymar returned from injury in October and had his most recent appearance for the Saudi club was in November. The Brazilian said in different interviews there were doubts on whether coach Jorge Jesus would count on him for the rest of the season.
Brazilian media has reported that Neymar and his father are interested in a return to his boyhood club Santos, where he achieved national fame and his first caps for Brazil before he joined Barcelona in 2013.
Shortly after the move to Saudi he overtook Pele to become Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 78 goals, but has not played for his country since his initial knee injury in 2023.
