Neymar, Top Brazilian Footballer Joins Al Hilal Club in Saudi Pro League, Leaves Paris Saint Germain(PSG)
Neymar, the renowned Brazilian soccer superstar, has made a significant move by joining the Saudi Pro League, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Al Hilal, one of the top clubs in the Saudi Pro League, made the official announcement of Neymar’s signing on a Tuesday, creating a buzz in the footballing world. The announcement came in the form of a cinematic video posted on social media, a marketing move that Neymar himself reposted, amplifying the excitement around the transfer.
At 31 years old, Neymar has reportedly put pen to paper on a lucrative two-year contract that will see him earn approximately $100 million per year. This staggering figure solidifies his status as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. The Saudi side, Al Hilal, and Neymar’s former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), reportedly reached an agreement on a substantial transfer fee of $98 million (€90 million), making it the most substantial transfer fee in the history of the Saudi Pro League, according to the Associated Press.
Neymar had initially extended his contract with PSG through 2025 in 2021, but this new move to Al Hilal marks a significant shift in his career. His initial transfer to PSG in 2017 had set a world record, with a staggering transfer fee of $262 million (€222 million).
The announcement comes on the heels of Neymar’s recent injury setback this spring when he suffered an ankle injury that necessitated surgery, prematurely ending his season. Despite the injury, Neymar managed to impress, tallying an impressive 13 goals in 20 appearances before his unfortunate setback.
Neymar is not the only football superstar to make the move to the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo, another football icon, made headlines in December with his decision to join Saudi club Al Nassr. Ronaldo’s deal is reported to pay him a staggering $200 million per year, showcasing the financial muscle of the league. Following Ronaldo’s move, several other notable football stars, including Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, have followed suit, further elevating the league’s profile on the global stage.
Neymar’s transfer represents the second major departure from PSG, with Lionel Messi having previously left to join Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS). Interestingly, Al Hilal was also in pursuit of Messi before he made his move to the United States. Since his debut for Inter Miami CF in Leagues Cup play last month, Messi has made an immediate impact, scoring eight goals, including a game-winning goal against Cruz Azul.
In addition to Neymar and Messi, rumors are swirling about the potential departure of Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappé is said to have received a staggering $332 million offer from Al Hilal, a sum that would make him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. Amid a contract dispute, Mbappé was recently spotted back on the training pitch with the Ligue 1 side, leaving fans and pundits alike speculating about his future.
Neymar’s football journey began as a teenager with Brazilian club Santos FC. In 2013, at the age of 21, he made a high-profile move to FC Barcelona, where he enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Lionel Messi for four seasons. His move to PSG in 2017 marked a turning point in his career, setting a world record transfer fee at the time. Interestingly, Messi joined Neymar at PSG in 2021, reuniting the two football legends.
On the international stage, Neymar has been a pillar of the Brazilian national team. He shares the distinction of being the national team’s all-time leading goal-scorer with the legendary Pelé, both having netted an impressive 77 goals for the Seleção. Neymar has represented Brazil in three World Cup tournaments, with his first appearance in 2014 leading to a memorable run to the semifinals. Subsequent World Cups, however, saw Brazil being eliminated in the quarterfinals.
To sum up, Neymar’s move to the Saudi Pro League is a significant development in the world of football. With a hefty contract and a record-breaking transfer fee, he joins a growing list of football superstars who have chosen to play in the increasingly competitive and financially rewarding Saudi Pro League. This move marks a new chapter in Neymar’s storied career, and football fans around the world will be eager to see how he performs in this new footballing landscape.
