Al-Hilal may terminate Neymar’s £130 million-a-year contract in January due to ongoing injury concerns, putting his future at the Saudi Pro League club in doubt.
The Brazilian star, who joined Al-Hilal from PSG in 2023, has played only seven matches for the team, struggling with recurring fitness issues.
After recovering from an ACL injury sustained with Brazil in October 2022, Neymar, now 32, returned to the field last month following a year-long absence.
However, his comeback faced another setback this week when he had to exit Al-Hilal’s Asian Champions League match against Esteghlal just 29 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Neymar indicated the issue was a cramp in his right thigh, though Brazilian sources report he may miss up to three more weeks.
According to Brazilian outlet UOL, Al-Hilal is re-evaluating Neymar’s role, considering a mutual contract termination in January.
With the star’s £130 million annual salary and a contract ending this season, the club is questioning his value to the squad.
A January exit would ease financial pressures and grant manager Jorge Jesus more roster flexibility, as the club currently fields the maximum eight foreign players over 21.
Despite Neymar’s limited contributions—one goal and three assists—Al-Hilal has excelled in his absence, winning last season’s Saudi Pro League title and leading the league this year with eight wins in nine matches.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has emerged as the team’s top scorer with 13 goals, while the club also performs well in the Super Cup, Asian Champions League, and prepares for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Neymar, whose transfer from PSG cost Al-Hilal £78 million, has been linked with a potential return to Brazil with his former club Santos, or a move to Inter Miami, where he could reunite with ex-teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
