Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has voiced his ongoing enthusiasm for playing in Saudi Arabia, despite recent reports suggesting that his current club, Al-Hilal, may be considering terminating his contract following a fresh injury setback.
The 31-year-old forward, who moved to Saudi Arabia in August 2023 for a reported €90 million ($98 million) transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has struggled with injuries since his arrival, limiting his appearances for the Saudi Pro League side.
Neymar’s career, once predicted to rival the legacies of football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, has been marred by persistent injury issues.
After enduring a lengthy knee injury that sidelined him for much of the previous season, he made a return to the pitch only to suffer a new setback.
During Al-Hilal’s recent 3-0 victory over Iran’s Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League, Neymar was substituted just 29 minutes after coming off the bench, following the aggravation of a hamstring injury.
Reports indicate that he is now expected to be out for four to six weeks, further complicating his situation at the club.
These continuous injury woes have raised concerns about Neymar’s future in Saudi Arabia. Speculation has been rife in Saudi media that Al-Hilal might not register the Brazilian forward for the second half of the current Saudi Pro League season.
Neymar’s current contract with the club is set to expire in June 2025, but his ongoing fitness issues have left his place in the team uncertain.
Despite these challenges, Neymar remains positive about his time in Saudi Arabia. The Brazilian international expressed his happiness with life in the Middle East, emphasizing that he has been well-received and feels at home in the country.
In an interview with Goal, Neymar shared his belief that Saudi Arabia is a great place for football, suggesting that the country’s football scene will continue to attract top-tier talent in the coming years.
“The opportunity to play here and live in a country like this is very important for people,” Neymar said. “That’s why I always say that I was very well received here. I’m very happy and I’m sure it will only get better. I’m sure other stars will come here. I believe that many will have the opportunity to come here, and I think that everyone should have the opportunity to experience what I have experienced here.”
Despite the injury setbacks, Neymar’s positive outlook on his Saudi Arabian experience contrasts with the growing uncertainty surrounding his future at Al-Hilal.
The speculation around his potential departure follows a period where Neymar’s performances have not lived up to the high expectations placed on him after his transfer.
With a long history of injury issues, Neymar’s ability to remain at the top of his game is being questioned, yet his belief in the Saudi footballing project remains steadfast.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, Neymar’s former club, Santos, has secured their return to the top tier of Brazilian football, and there are hopes that the star striker will return to his roots at the club that first earned him global recognition alongside the legendary Pelé.
For now, though, Neymar’s immediate focus remains on recovering from his injury and contributing to Al-Hilal’s success in the Pro League and international competitions.
Neymar’s time in Saudi Arabia, though challenging, continues to be an important chapter in his illustrious career, with hopes that future stars will follow in his footsteps to explore the opportunities the region offers to football players.