Neymar's future at Al-Hilal in doubt as injuries threaten Saudi soccer journey

According to recent information provided by the program "Action Ma3 Waleed" on "MBC Shadid," Neymar's days at Al-Hilal could be numbered. The Saudi club is apparently ready to terminate the contract of the Brazilian forward during the next January transfer window-a decision that sounds radical but makes complete sense as one begins to take in every bit of the picture. Already absent from some competitions, Neymar has been blowing out with more frequent injuries, after having been on the pitch for a few minutes since recovering from that serious injury to his knee. Early separation only increased questions about the future of such a star and if the right decision had been made while investing so heavily in such a high-risk player.

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A Relationship Marked by Injuries and Broken Expectations

The transfer of Neymar to Al-Hilal was one of the most influential this year, with high expectations after a few seasons in Europe and an exceptional spell with Paris Saint-Germain. Having promised to further raise the profile of the Saudi league with his huge contract, Neymar seemed primed for a new chapter. Reality played out rather differently, however.

Since his arrival in Europe, an injury has been like a permanent shadow following Neymar's career. After the serious rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay, he had to withstand a long recovery process. And even now, when he finally returned to the field, the physical problems did not stop. He was substituted out in the 39th minute of the second half in his last match, an Asian Champions League match against Esteghlal, due to discomfort in his right thigh. It is fair to say that a big part of Neymar's time with Al-Hilal has been injury fighting rather than soccer playing. 

An Investment That Hasn't Paid Off

For Al-Hilal, Neymar was more than an important player; he was also a marketing tool, a great name ready to help Saudi soccer stay on the map. On the pitch, his numbers are not those of the investment made in him. Recovered, Neymar has played only two games so far, both in the Asian Champions League. His absence from the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League reflects the doubt of the club on physical terms.

How Much Can His Body Take?

It is not a singular story in the world of sports, but the context of his career adds weight to the situation. Knee injuries are notoriously debilitating to top-level players, and for those-like Neymar-who rely so much on speed and agility, this can spell doom. The rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament, coupled with years of wear and tear, does raise some doubts as to whether he can continue at this high performance level.

Now, at 32, Neymar finds himself at the mercy of the most prosaic dilemma faced by all great athletes: how much farther can his body go in order to keep up with his ambitions? Al-Hilal's dilemma, though, is very different: how much is it worth keeping a player like Neymar when the risks of injury and missing games are this high? It is the very question that leads to considering the termination of a contract as a strategic move, in order to cut losses while they remain smaller.

A Relationship That Could End Sooner than Expected

The decision to fire him in January raises questions about what might happen to Neymar. To which team would he be transferred? Would he return to European soccer? Look for an opportunity in a less potent league or even the MLS, or perhaps back home to Brazil? These are probably questions that have crossed Neymar's and his representatives' minds.

Already in the Saudi soccer scenery, we can see that buying international stars was a way of luring visibility and quality to the local league. But Neymar hasn't really fit into this plan, partly due to his series of injuries and the challenge of integrating a player who was once a symbol of European soccer. This might be a suggestion from Al-Hilal that its patience concerning Neymar's physical condition is wearing thin.

Neymar and the Brazilian National Team: How This Effects His Persona

The absence of Neymar from the most recent Brazilian national team call-up due to the matches against Venezuela and Uruguay plainly made it obvious that his physical condition is affecting not only his career at Al-Hilal but also his relevance with the national team. At least Coach Dorival Júnior made it clear why Neymar was left out: he hasn't had enough playing minutes this season. For a player who has long been instrumental in Brazil's lineup, the lack of match fitness could portend a career shift in his playing future.

This absence has a double consequence. On the one hand, Neymar loses the possibility of maintaining himself active and visible at an international level, something that might make his figure lose strength among today's best. On the other hand, Al Hilal takes very seriously the fact that Neymar's contract is not offset by what might be made in terms of marketing and visibility, thus setting in stone the idea that his exit might simply be a matter of time.