Brazilian forward Neymar has officially joined Al Hilal from Paris St Germain (PSG), as confirmed by the Saudi team on Tuesday. This move highlights Al Hilal’s ambitious pursuit of top foreign players.
While the exact terms of the deal remain undisclosed, respected football reporter Fabrizio Romano suggests Neymar’s earnings could reach up to $400 million over two years, including salary and potential bonuses.
Notably, PSG and Al Hilal agreed on a transfer fee of around $98.4 million (€90 million) for Neymar’s move.
Neymar originally made a high-profile transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 for a then-record fee of $242.3 million (€222 million). During his six-year stint with the club, the Brazilian forward scored an impressive 118 goals in 173 matches, earning him the fourth spot among PSG’s all-time highest scorers.
PSG expressed gratitude to Neymar in a statement, labeling him a club legend. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, PSG’s president and CEO, acknowledged the challenge of bidding farewell to such an exceptional player, stating, “It is always difficult to say goodbye to an amazing player like Neymar, one of the best players in the world.”
This transfer is part of Saudi football clubs’ efforts to strengthen their teams with notable talent, showcasing the nation’s aspiration to excel in the sport. Players like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino have already made their moves to Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal initiated this trend with the acquisition of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo by Al Nassr in December, with reports suggesting his yearly salary exceeds $200 million.
A significant backdrop to this story involves PSG’s Kylian Mbappé, who declined a record-breaking one-year contract offer from Al Hilal worth $775 million. Speculations around Mbappé’s potential transfer to Real Madrid have since gained traction. Al Hilal also expressed interest in Argentine icon Lionel Messi, but Messi ultimately joined Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
Al Hilal stands as the most successful club in both Saudi Arabia and Asia, boasting an impressive 66 titles. Their record includes 18 league championships and four Asian Champions League victories. Anchored in Riyadh, the club is now focused on strengthening its squad in line with Saudi sports clubs’ investment and privatization initiative.
