 "Neymar finally makes Al-Hilal return but his Saudi Pro League future looks uncertain")
Neymar is back playing professional football as he marked his return after a year in Al-Hilal’s 5-4 win over UAE Pro League team Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League on Monday. The Brazilian superstar has overall played in just six matches since joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on a mega 90 million euros ($97.8 million) deal in August 2023.
And while on Monday he made his much-awaited return, he may not have a lot of matches left in Saudi Arabia.
Neymar’s mega deal at Al-Hilal
Neymar joined Al-Hilal in 2023 when Saudi Pro League teams were breaking all possible transfer fee records in the football transfer market to attract the most popular talents in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is reportedly being paid a whopping $213 million by his club .
In Neymar’s case, he’s just being paid handsomely by Al-Hilal but the four-time AFC Champions League winner have reportedly given him a private plane, a 25-bedroom mansion. The mansion comes with a 40x10 meter swimming pool, three saunas, and five full-time staff for his assistance.
Neymar is also given cars including a Bentley Continental GT, an Aston Martin DBX, and a Lamborghini Huracán, reportedly.
Read: Are Saudi Pro League clubs feeling the heat as transfer window spending drops significantly?
It’s an expensive deal for the club no doubt but with Neymar continuously struggling with muscle injuries and soon to turn 33, it would be a surprise if the Brazilian attacker gets a contract extension from the Saudi Pro League club.
By bringing Neymar to the club, Al-Hailal wanted to ride on his popularity and make a name for themselves in the football world, however, with the former Barcelona and PSG players spending a year on the sidelines, the Saudi Arabian club and the country has hardly benefitted.
Saudi Pro League faces financial crunch
Another factor that can lead to Neymar leaving Saudi Arabia in 2025 is the fact that the Pro League clubs have significantly reduced their transfer market spending. The Saudi Pro League transfer spending was $957 million in 2023 but came down to $431 million in 2024.
Also, the Saudi Pro League was the second biggest spender in the summer of 2023, only behind the English Premier League, but in 2024, it is sixth.
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