The meteoric fall of football superstar Neymar has taken another dramatic turn as Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus delivered a stark assessment of the Brazilian’s future, effectively signaling the end of his Saudi Arabian adventure. In a shocking announcement following Al-Hilal’s commanding 9-0 victory over Al-Fateh, Jesus confirmed that Neymar would be excluded from the club’s Saudi Pro League registration for the remainder of the season.
The revelation marks a devastating low point in the career of the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, whose €90 million transfer to Al-Hilal in August 2023 was meant to herald a new chapter in his illustrious career. Instead, the move has descended into a nightmare scenario, with the 32-year-old managing just seven appearances and a solitary goal before suffering a severe knee ligament injury while on international duty with Brazil in October.
Jesus’s brutally honest assessment of Neymar’s condition has sent shockwaves through the football world. “Neymar can no longer play at the level we are used to,” the Portuguese manager stated bluntly, painting a grim picture of the forward’s decline. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.” The manager’s words carry particular weight given his experience in managing some of football’s biggest names throughout his career.
The decision to limit Neymar’s potential involvement to Asian Champions League matches – should he recover from his injury – effectively reduces his possible remaining appearances for Al-Hilal to a maximum of seven games, assuming the team reaches the competition’s final. This restricted role represents a dramatic fall from grace for a player once considered among football’s elite, commanding record-breaking transfer fees and dazzling audiences worldwide with his extraordinary skills.
What makes this situation particularly poignant is the contrast between Neymar’s current predicament and the flourishing state of the Saudi Pro League, which Jesus praised as “one of the best leagues in the world.” The manager’s assertion that all Al-Hilal players could compete for European clubs serves to highlight the stark reality of Neymar’s physical decline, suggesting that the Brazilian superstar no longer meets even the standard of Saudi Arabian football.
The timing of this announcement raises questions about the future of one of football’s most marketable stars. With his contract entering its final year and his registration spot being reserved for a younger player born in 2003 or later, Neymar’s options appear increasingly limited. Rumors of potential interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) have begun to circulate, suggesting a possible new direction for the Brazilian’s career.
This latest setback adds to a pattern of career-defining moments that haven’t quite lived up to expectations. From his world-record €222 million transfer to PSG in 2017 to his recent Saudi Arabian venture, Neymar’s journey has been marked by periods of brilliant promise interrupted by injuries and controversies. The current situation at Al-Hilal appears to be following a similar trajectory, with the added complication of age and declining physical capabilities.
The financial implications of this development are significant, considering the substantial investment Al-Hilal made in acquiring Neymar. While the club does have an option to extend his contract for an additional 12 months, Jesus’s comments suggest that such a scenario is increasingly unlikely. The situation represents a cautionary tale about the risks involved in making substantial investments in aging superstars, even in the financially robust Saudi Pro League.
As the football world digests this latest development, attention will inevitably turn to what comes next for Neymar. The Brazilian’s legacy as one of football’s most talented players remains secure, but his future in the sport appears increasingly uncertain. Whether through a move to MLS or another destination, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether this is truly the beginning of the end for one of football’s most compelling characters, or if there’s still another chapter to be written in his remarkable career.