Neymar's father: Al-Hilal exit? 'We are preparing for it'

Tom Weber

Updated: 24 Nov 2024 10:52 CST
4 min read

Neymar Santos Sr. has addressed the speculation surrounding his son's Al-Hilal future.

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Neymar is once again dealing with an injury setback. The Brazilian megastar recently returned from a year-long absence after an ACL tear but he swiftly found himself sidelined again with a muscular issue.

His move to Al-Hilal has been anything but a success. Signed from PSG for an eye-watering €90 million in 2023, the 32-year-old has spent more time on the treatment table - or playing poker - than on the pitch.

With his contract up next summer, there is a realistic scenario in which Neymar departs Riyadh after just seven games, though there is an option to extend his deal by a further season.

However, with the Saudi Pro League and Asian Champions League only allowing a limited number of foreigners, it has been reported that Al-Hilal could cut their losses instead of potentially wasting a valuable roster spot - and a lot of money - on a perennially injured player.

Neymar's father breaks silence

A return to boyhood club Santos has been mooted and club bosses have repeatedly expressed their desire and ambition to bring Neymar back, with the player himself also previously stating that he wants to return one day.

Now, his father Neymar Santos Sr. has spoken about the 32-year-old's future, admitting that the opportunity to freely pick his next club is a 'gift' and that his camp is preparing for the transfer market.

"Let's wait and see what will happen and how Neymar will really feel. He will be free to decide. We have never been so free to decide where we are going and having a 32-year-old free on hand is a gift for any businessman," he told Roundcast.

"We never made plans. The only plan we made was to go to Barcelona. The rest... PSG was crazy, it became a whirlwind and, out of nowhere, when we saw it, he was leaving. Al Hilal too. These were things that happened.

"And today Neymar has a contract until 2025. We don't know anything. I see the speculation and we have started to prepare for it. I know that the market is waiting to see how he will recover, but he always comes back better than he was. And it will not be different."

For now, however, Neymar is determined to return to full fitness and is keen to play in the Club World Cup. “All the clubs will be there and Al-Hilal will be in this championship, they won this place," his father said.

"They already have one of the biggest stars they could have to compete in this and a boy with experience in this type of competition. That is why they did not give up on the second year of Neymar’s contract.”