The list of players following the lure of Saudi Arabia this summer is getting longer and longer. With Neymar she now has a very prominent new name. The 124-time Brazilian international (77 goals) leaves Paris Saint-Germain after more than six years and will play for Al-Hilal in the future.
In the Saudi Professional League, which has just started, Neymar is said to have signed a two-year contract until June 30, 2025 and wear shirt number 10, according to media reports. He should collect 160 million euros in the two years, which would almost double his salary in Paris.
According to a report by “L’Equipe”, Paris will receive a base fee of 80 million euros for the offensive artist, who was originally tied until the summer of 2025, which would still scratch the 100 million mark with bonuses – in any case a new record for the Saudis -Arab League. Meanwhile, PSG gets a top earner from the list, with whom coach Luis Enrique had not planned at the start of the season (0-0 against Lorient).
I will never forget the day he joined Paris Saint-Germain.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi
“It’s inevitably difficult to say goodbye to a club legend, which is what Neymar will forever be,” Paris Saint-Germain President and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. “I will never forget the day He came to Paris Saint-Germain and what he has done for our club and our project over the past six years. We have had an extraordinary time and Neymar will always be part of our story. I want him and his family to thank.”
From the trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who were once brought in with great Bohei, only the latter is left, who is apparently “pardoned” and possibly even extended. Paris spent the world record sum of 222 million euros on Neymar in the summer of 2017 – they will not even get half of it now. The transfer should also be part of a larger plan to generate transfer plus this summer – with a view to financial fair play.
Neymar made a total of 173 competitive appearances for PSG, in which he contributed 118 goals and 77 assists. He won five French championships and three national cups with the French, but the dribbler has also been plagued by injuries.
Five stars joined Al-Hilal this summer
At Al-Hilal, Neymar will face, among others, his compatriot Malcom (from Zenit) – previously a record transfer in the league -, Ruben Neves (from Wolverhampton), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (from Lazio) and Kalidou Koulibaly (from Chelsea), who all joined Al-Hilal that summer.
In June, the state fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is in charge of Premier League club Newcastle United, among other things, also took over Al-Hilal with 75 percent each.
