Daccanomics
Brazilian football star Neymar has officially joined Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after being with the club since 2017. The move was confirmed after negotiations that began last week and accelerated over the weekend.
Neymar’s transfer fee to Al-Hilal is reported to be over 60 million euros, including bonuses. He will have a substantial contract with the Saudi club. According to L’Equipe, Neymar has signed a contract worth 160 million euros over two seasons.
Al-Hilal was the team that made the best offer to both PSG and Neymar. The move to Saudi Arabia became a suitable option after the Major League Soccer (MLS) was not considered feasible.
Neymar’s time with PSG saw a mix of successes and challenges. He was unable to secure the coveted UEFA Champions League title and faced several injuries throughout his tenure, missing a total of 119 games due to physical issues.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi expressed gratitude to Neymar for his contributions to the club over the past six years. Neymar scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for PSG and played a key role in winning five Ligue 1 titles.
Al-Hilal, one of the most successful clubs in Asia, has won 66 trophies and holds records for league and Asian Champions League titles. The club’s decision to sign Neymar aligns with their goal of strengthening their squad, as they are part of a broader investment and privatization project for sports clubs in Saudi Arabia.
