Neymar’s time in Paris is drawing to a close. Last Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Hilal began finalizing Neymar’s move, and today all parties signed off on the agreement. The Brazilian star has already completed his medical in Paris as part of the transfer process.
With the signatures in place, Kalidou Koulibaly, Rubén Neves, Milinković-Savić, and Malcom have helped propel a deal worth around €180 million, as Al Hilal puts the finishing touches on a summer window move that includes Neymar as the marquee signing. All sides expressed satisfaction with the agreement. The Saudi club will enjoy Neymar’s presence for the next two seasons, while PSG benefits from a significant economic injection and relief from a difficult payroll. Al Hilal is poised to pay nearly €100 million upfront plus Neymar, with a total package approaching €320 million over the two-year term. In this booming Saudi league, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a higher earner when salaries and endorsements are counted.
Neymar’s relationship with PSG had frayed, and his departure was accelerated by the arrival of Luis Enrique to the Paris bench. Since the start of the transfer window, Neymar had informed PSG of his desire to leave, and the prospect of Enrique’s leadership did not help his situation. Although signs pointed to calm in July, the coach openly stated he did not trust Neymar. PSG did not waver and accepted Saudi Arabia’s near-€100 million offer, comprising fixed and variable components.
golden road
In 2017, Neymar arrived in Paris from Barcelona as the club’s most expensive player and a landmark figure in its history, with a transfer fee of €222 million. Six seasons later, the Brazilian bids farewell to PSG and becomes part of the most expensive sale in the club’s history. Neymar’s career in football has been a path lined with gold.
He left FC Barcelona in 2017 to pursue personal, collective, and financial glory at PSG. The payoff included a net annual income of around €30 million. Yet, a string of injuries, off-pitch distractions, and public controversies remain the enduring memories for Parisian fans.
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s board aimed at Champions League glory, hoping Neymar would be the decisive figure. In 2020 PSG reached the final, and in 2021 they were knocked out in the round of 16. Those campaigns underscored the challenge of turning talent into continental success.
Disappointing signature for Barça
Now Neymar can rest among the glitter of a gold market, as he eyes a future in European football through 2026. The deal with Al Hilal was extended to a two-year term, and the total value was raised to about €320 million. Barcelona’s flirtation with a Neymar return has cooled since. The Brazilian star had pressed hard for a Barca reunion, with talks reportedly including a salary package of around €12 million if the move happened, but the transfer remained blocked. As in 2019, a second spell at Barcelona seems unlikely.
With Neymar’s signature, Al Hilal completes its summer business by securing a star and continuing its financial strategy, following earlier high-profile acquisitions that drew attention across the football world.