Neymar's time in Saudi Arabia has come to an abrupt end, marking a chapter full of struggles. The Brazilian forward's journey with Al-Hilal, which began with high hopes, was plagued by a major injury that sidelined him for a year. His long road to recovery ended up causing more issues for the club than solutions, leading to his contract being terminated after several twists in his saga with the Saudi club.

The Injury That Changed Everything

Neymar's troubles began with a serious knee ligament injury in 2022 that kept him off the field for months. After recovering, the player returned to action on October 21, 2023, but his comeback was short-lived. Only a few days later, Neymar suffered a muscular injury, which further disappointed Al-Hilal's management. Coach Jorge Jesus lost faith in the Brazilian's ability to perform at the desired level, and it became clear that Neymar wouldn’t be part of the team's future for the remainder of the season.

With just six months left on his contract and a salary exceeding eight figures, Neymar’s situation became untenable. During a press conference, Jorge Jesus confirmed, "Neymar cannot perform at the level we expect. He still has a contract with Al-Hilal, and it may be up to him to decide his future." The club made it clear that Neymar was no longer in their plans, leaving him to weigh his options.

The Decision to End It

In a swift turn of events, Neymar went from stating that he would decide his future after fully recovering to deciding to terminate his contract. Early last week, it became evident that the player had no intention of staying in Saudi Arabia, with his focus turning to a return to Brazil. Despite interest from MLS clubs like Chicago Fire, Neymar and his agent, Pini Zahavi, worked diligently to facilitate his move back home.

By the weekend, discussions between Neymar’s camp and the Saudi club intensified. While the agreement was almost finalized, the financial obstacle remained. Neymar still had $90 million left on his contract for the remaining six months. Both parties pushed for a final meeting on January 27 to resolve the matter.

A Lucrative Settlement

In the end, Al-Hilal agreed to Neymar's terms, understanding that the player would likely play a significant role as one of the ambassadors for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia. To avoid leaving a bad impression, the club decided to settle with Neymar, agreeing to pay him, according to AS, between $30 million and $40 million as part of the termination of his contract.

As Neymar prepares for his return to Santos, the club where his career began, he hopes to rediscover his form and become the player who once captivated the football world. With this massive settlement in hand, Neymar's future now seems focused on Brazil, where a new chapter of his career awaits.