Neymar Jr has found himself at the center of controversy this transfer window after Al Hilal opted not to register him in the Saudi Pro League. Following his prolonged absences, the club signed another foreign player, reaching the league’s foreigner quota limit. This decision sparked rumors of a potential contract termination with the Saudi club. Addressing the swirling speculation, Neymar finally decided to break his silence on the matter.
On his personal X account, Neymar Jr shared a message of gratitude to the club and its fans, leaving a strong confession.
“To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, Thank you !!, I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together…To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034. Your future will be incredible, special things are happening. And I will always support you !!!”.
Neymar Jr stated in his farewell message that he would have liked to have had more fun on the field with the team as the star Brazilian managed to play just 7 appearances for Al Hilal, tallying one goal and three assists since his impact during the first season was marred by an ACL injury with meniscus damage, sidelining him for 340 days. Adding to his woes, a series of additional injuries kept him out for another 114 days, severely limiting his impact on the team.
Neymar Jr. after an injury during the AFC Champions League Elite match between Al-Hilal and Esteghlal
Al Hilal announced on its X account, formerly Twitter, that Neymar Jr’s contract has been terminated by mutual agreement. While head coach Jorge Jesus expressed his desire to keep Neymar for the AFC Champions League, where he was already registered, the player prioritized seeking a prominent role to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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What could be Neymar Jr’s next destination after his time in Saudi Arabia?
Neymar Jr must carefully select his next destination as he prepares to return to peak form and compete at the highest level. Among the most talked-about options is a return to his childhood club, Santos FC. The club’s president, Marcelo Teixeira, fueled speculation by sharing an emotional video message to Neymar on his social media channels, expressing hopes of a homecoming.
“It seems like yesterday, time goes by too fast. The time has come to build our new history, come back home, we are with open arms!,” Santos FC president Marcelo Teixeira stated in a heartfelt video message to Neymar Jr. According to Fabrizio Romano, Neymar Jr has agreed to a six-month contract with Santos FC, including an option for extension. However, neither Santos FC nor Neymar Jr have officially confirmed the deal, leaving fans eagerly awaiting an announcement.