The staggering numbers behind Neymar's time in Saudi Arabia

Neymar's nightmare spell in Saudi Arabia has finally come to an end but staggering numbers show his former club have paid a heavy price for the deal.

According to reports, the 32-year-old is in talks with Brazilian side Santos over a potential return after his contract with Al-Hilal was ripped up by mutual consent.

His departure came after an injury-hit stay in which he played just seven times despite joining in an eye-catching £78million move in August 2023.

Neymar made only two appearances this season and last featured in November.

Al Hilal said in a statement: 'The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided at Al-Hilal, and wish him success in his career.'

Still the world's most expensive player after joining PSG for £200m in 2017, Neymar had around seven months remaining on his lucrative contract at Al-Hilal.

He is reported to have earned €150m (£129.2m) a year at the club but his time in Saudi Arabia quickly soured as a result of his persistent injury woes.

Indeed, the superstar completed just four matches and scored once.

Neymar ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while on international duty with Brazil and was sidelined for a year. His return came last October in the Asian Champions League but he lasted just two games before suffering a hamstring issue.

According to Globo Esporte, Neymar has agreed to give up 15 per cent of the €62m (£51.9m) owed to him for the rest of the season, or almost €9.6m (£8m).

This, however, is a mere drop in the ocean in comparison to some of the other figures Al-Hilal splashed out on him, including the £78m transfer fee paid to PSG and the €200m (£167m) in salary - minus the £8m Neymar gave up - over two years.

Sport have also claimed that Neymar banked €163m (£136m) in commercial income over his year-and-a-half spell at Al-Hilal, though this wasn't paid out by the club.

In total, Neymar played just 431 minutes for Al-Hilal, equating to €650,000 (£545,000) per minute and a staggering €40m (£33.5m) per match played, if weighted against the €280m (£234m) spent on his transfer fee and salary.

It has also been estimated that Al-Hilal spent €280m per goal scored and more than €93m (£78m) per assist during his unsuccessful spell.

MLS outfit Chicago Fire are thought to have attempted to lure Neymar to the United States this month, but he looks to have rejected them for Santos.

Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, were also linked with a high-profile swoop that would have seen him reunited with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

ESPN have reported that he has held talks with Santos over a six-month contract with a return to the club where he made his debut aged 17 in 2009 edging closer.