Neymar Negotiates Departure from Al-Hilal Amid Injury Concerns

Neymar, the former FC Barcelona forward, joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in mid-2023 for around $97 million. However, shortly after the transfer, he suffered a serious ACL injury while playing for Brazil, which severely limited his appearances for Al-Hilal. Recently, Neymar expressed interest in returning to his roots by potentially transferring back to Santos, his boyhood club, in 2025. As Al-Hilal considers rescinding his contract due to his injuries and limited playtime, Neymar is reported to be in negotiations for an amicable termination. He aims to play for Santos again, providing him the opportunity to regain his form ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which may be his last tournament. The implications of this decision not only affect Neymar's career trajectory but also impact Al-Hilal's strategies moving forward in the Saudi Pro League. If Neymar completes this move, it would shift attention towards Santos' preparations and how they manage his return. At 32, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, which adds weight to his decision to play in Brazil as a means to stay in contention for national team selection. Santos is keen on facilitating Neymar’s return within the next few months, projecting optimism for reuniting with their iconic player.