Modern-day Brazilian football icon, Neymar, is set to terminate his contract with Saudi Pro League side, Al Hilal, less than two years after joining them.
The former Santos, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player chose Saudi Arabia for the latter stages of his career after dominating football discussions as one of the best players in the world not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. His numbers and overall play which contributed to making him the superstar that he is put him over with the Saudi Pro League management, leading to their efforts which landed him at Al-Hilal.
However, the forward has only made seven appearances for the club in two seasons, scoring one goal. This is no fault of his, however – he has suffered a slew of injuries in that time which have kept him out of action. He has, however, been recognised as a winner of the Saudi Pro League because he was fully registered when they won the title.
After his latest injury setback which came almost immediately after he was given thee medical greenlight from his last long-term injury, things look to be at an end for the 32-year-old’s Saudi Arabia adventure.
This is according to Brazilian journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, who claims that Neymar will terminate his contract with Al-Hilal and return to Brazil where he would turn up for Santos, the club where his football career started.
Neymar progressed through the ranks with the Sao Paulo club and went on to score 107 goals in 177 appearances before signing for Barcelona in 2013. A return to the club surely means that he is ready to call time on his career because it is unlikely he will move elsewhere after his Santos stint.
Santos suffered relegation for the first time in their history in 2023 but secured automatic promotion back to the Brazilian Serie A at the first time of asking. They are now close to winning the Series A title, which shows a drastic change in their fortunes and Neymar has even been invited to attend the title presentation ceremony by the club’s president, Marcelo Teixeira.
This news contraveness earlier reports that the player was set for a move to Inter Miami, where he would be linking up with his Barcelona pals Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. It was even suggested that Messi tried to poach him for the MLS side, but with reports linking him to Santos gaining more traction, it remains to be seen what the player will do as regards his future.
One thing is for certain, however, and that is his immediate career future not being at Al-Hilal.
