Dec 3, 2024, 7:41 AM
Dec 3, 2024, 7:41 AM

Neymar's arrival forces Al-Hilal to cut Kalidou Koulibaly from squad

Highlights
  • Neymar joined Al-Hilal from PSG in 2023 but has suffered multiple injuries, limiting his impact.
  • The club is set to register Neymar at the expense of Kalidou Koulibaly, who has underperformed since joining.
  • Al-Hilal's decision to offload Koulibaly illustrates the competitive and unforgiving environment of professional football.
Story

In Saudi Arabia, Neymar's stint has been rocky, as he has struggled to make an impact since joining Al-Hilal after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. He has played only seven games amid injury setbacks, and reports surfaced that his lucrative contract could be terminated in early 2024. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal needed to register Neymar in their squad, leading to the decision to offload Kalidou Koulibaly, a player previously celebrated for his time at Napoli but who failed to perform consistently since his big-money move to Chelsea in 2022. Koulibaly's struggles continued after his transfer to Al-Hilal, resulting in the club's intent to either terminate his contract or loan him out until 2026. The Saudi Pro League has seen a wave of major European stars joining, and the pressure is on Neymar to prove himself worthy of his lucrative deal. Al-Hilal, in his absence, has maintained a strong performance this season, sitting in contention for the league title, having won the previous season's championship and other domestic honors, like the Super Cup. Their focus remains on multiple tournaments, including the Asian Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. As Neymar tries to establish himself in the squad, Koulibaly faces a potential exit from the club, highlighting the ruthless nature of professional football and the intense competition in Al-Hilal's ranks.

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