In the summer of 2023, Neymar made an unexpected change in his career. Although his departure from Paris Saint-Germain seemed inevitable after a few difficult years in the French capital, few imagined that he would leave Europe at just 31 years old.
However, that is what happened. After six seasons in Ligue 1, the ex-Santos player decided to try something different by accepting a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al Hilal to secure an exorbitant contract in the Middle East. He thus joined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in a league determined to invest in famous names.
According to Fabrizio Romano, at the time of confirming the operation, Neymar signed a two-year contract that will earn him $300 million.
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Official, confirmed. Neymar Jr joins Al Hilal on $300m package record salary in two years, no option to extend 🚨🔵🇸🇦
Salary could go up to potential $400m total until 2025 based on add-ons & commercial deals.
Deal completed by his father Neymar Pai and super agent Pini Zahavi. pic.twitter.com/M3YDaFsWQ0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 15, 2023
It should be noted that this amount corresponds to a package including different clauses, both sporting and commercial. The player’s earnings could reach 400 million dollars depending on the objectives and sponsorship agreements.
Neymar’s net salary for playing, not including other incentives outside of what he will make playing and training for Al Hilal, would be 100 million euros per season.
What will happen in 2025?
Given his contract is for two years, Neymar will be a free agent in 2025. It remains to be seen whether Al Hilal seek to extend it, as the club had virtually no use for the Brazilian in his first season: he played just five games in 2023-24 before missing the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
In October 2023, Neymar suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during his national team’s defeat to Uruguay in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Article originally written by Martin O’Donnell
