The Brazilian, according to L’Équipe, will play in Saudi Arabia, but his goal is to return to Europe to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar is close to joining Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. On Sunday, PSG closed a deal for the Brazilian for a fee of €80 million, but that could reach €120 million through a series of variables. It will become the most expensive sale in the history of Les Parisiens, surpassing the €40 million paid by Valencia for Gonçalo Guedes, and it will also be the most expensive sale in the history of Ligue 1.
Neymar, who will be paid more than €100 million, a figure far higher than the €30 million net he earned at PSG, is not closing the door on a return to European soccer. He will sign a two-year with Al Hilal, but as reported by L’Équipe, the forward’s idea is to return to Europe to prepare in the best possible way for the 2026 World Cup. His goal is to be in top condition for the next World Cup, which will probably be his last in the Brazil jersey.
Neymar leaving PSG after six years
Neymar will leave PSG after six seasons at the Parc des Princes. He landed in 2017 after becoming the most expensive signing in history (€222 million) and the club signed him to win the Champions League, a trophy he has failed to land in the French capital, despite reaching the final in 2020. Since the beginning of the summer, the player told the club he wanted to leave and then last week he received the news that he was not part of Luis Enrique’s plans.
Cristiano Ronaldo the highest paid player in Saudi Arabia
Neymar could even, as reported by L’Équipe, earn a salary similar to that received by Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, which amounts to €100 million in salary and another €100 million in sponsorship per season. The talented Brazilian player had made no secret in private of his desire to move to Barcelona, but Xavi’s refusal and the financial difficulties in signing him had thwarted that possibility at the beginning of August. Al Hilal now have their star player, after having failed to convince Lionel Messi in June.