Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal says contract with Neymar has been terminated by mutual consent

By Mauricio Savarese, The Associated Press on January 27, 2025.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal said Monday it reached an agreement with Brazilian striker Neymar to terminate their contract by mutual consent. The deal was due to expire in the middle of the year.

The club said in a statement published on X that it “expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal.”

The 32-year-old barely played for the Saudi club after he joined from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 for 90 million euros ($94 million). Neymar was sidelined for more than a year due to an ACL injury he picked playing for Brazil only months after he joined Al-Hilal.

Neymar’s most recent appearance for the Saudi club was in November. He said in different interviews there were doubts on whether coach Jorge Jesus would count on him for the rest of the season.

Neymar’s agents did not respond a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Brazilian media has reported that Neymar and his father are interested in a return to his boyhood club Santos, where he achieved national fame and his first caps for Brazil. He has also been linked to Flamengo, the country’s most popular club, where Neymar said he would like to play.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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