Neymar earned €160 million in salary while recovering from a serious injury that kept him off the pitch since October 2023. The forward, who signed a multimillion-dollar contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, is now set to return after over a year of inactivity, with fans eager to see him perform again.
The injury that sidelined Neymar for over a year
In October 2023, Neymar faced one of the toughest moments of his career. During a World Cup qualifying match for Brazil against Uruguay, the player suffered a severe injury that immediately took him off the field. The rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus required surgery and a lengthy recovery period. Since then, Neymar hasn’t played, spending over a year away from the pitch.
While in recovery, the Brazilian star continued receiving his substantial salary from Al-Hilal. Despite not playing, Neymar maintained his earnings, accumulating an impressive amount during his time away. This situation piqued the curiosity of fans and the sports media, who began to wonder just how much the player was earning without stepping onto the field.
Multimillion-dollar contract: Neymar among the top earners
Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal, signed in August 2023, was one of the most talked-about in world football. The two-year deal with the Saudi club secured the player an annual salary of €160 million, which equates to around €13.3 million per month (approximately R$100 million). This figure places Neymar among the highest-paid athletes globally, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who also play in Saudi Arabia.
Even though he did not play for Al-Hilal over the past year, the Brazilian continued to receive his full salary, totaling around €160 million (equivalent to R$981 million) while sidelined by injury. This fact raised questions about the financial impact of this contract, particularly concerning Neymar’s on-field performance for the Saudi club.
Al-Hilal signed Neymar with the expectation that the forward would elevate the team’s level in both national and international competitions, such as the AFC Champions League. However, the serious injury prevented the player from showcasing his full potential on the pitch. Now, with his recovery complete, hopes are high, and Neymar’s performance will be crucial in justifying the club’s massive investment.
Return to training and anticipation for his comeback
After a long recovery period, Neymar has finally returned to training with the rest of the Al-Hilal squad. The player was cleared by medical staff and participated in team activities over the weekend. Head coach Jorge Jesus, who leads Al-Hilal, has included the No. 10 in the squad list for the upcoming match against Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the AFC Champions League.
The match against Al Ain, scheduled for Monday, October 21, 2024, at 1 p.m. (Brasília time), will be Neymar’s first opportunity to return to the field after his severe injury. The game will be held at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain and is part of the third round of Group B in the continental tournament. It’s expected that Neymar will get some playing time, as his recovery was closely monitored by Al-Hilal’s medical team.
While both fans and management are eager to see Neymar back in action, his return will be gradual, respecting the player’s physical limits after more than a year without playing an official match. The club’s strategy is to reintroduce him slowly, avoiding the risk of new injuries and ensuring he is in peak condition for the critical moments of the season.
Neymar’s million-dollar recovery: how the star maintained his earnings
Even during his inactivity, Neymar remained one of the highest-paid players in the world. His contract with Al-Hilal, which guarantees annual earnings of €160 million, was not altered due to his injury. This amount, paid out in monthly installments, ensured that the forward continued to earn over R$100 million each month. For many, this may seem unusual since Neymar was sidelined for so long, but it is part of the modern football world, where elite players have contracts that ensure high earnings even during recovery periods.
Neymar’s presence in Saudi Arabian football was considered a significant boost for the local league, which aims to attract greater international visibility. Although the star has been absent from the field, the impact of his signing goes beyond what he does on the pitch. His arrival in the country has increased global attention on Saudi football, as seen with the moves of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
What the future holds for Neymar at Al-Hilal
Now that Neymar is back with the team, expectations are high for him to help Al-Hilal win key titles this season. The AFC Champions League is one of the club’s priorities, and Neymar’s presence could be the deciding factor in achieving its goals.
Neymar will also be crucial in domestic competitions, with fans hoping the forward will display the same level of play that made him a standout at European clubs and with the Brazilian national team. The pressure is intense, but Neymar has shown before that he knows how to handle big expectations.
If the player manages to return to top form, Al-Hilal could benefit greatly from the enormous investment made in his signing. However, time will tell if Neymar can maintain his rhythm after such a long hiatus and prove that the high sums paid to him, even while injured, were worth it.
Neymar and Saudi football: a new chapter in his career
Neymar’s move to Al-Hilal marked a new phase in his career. Leaving European football after years of success at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, the star chose to embark on a new challenge, this time in the Middle East. Many saw this decision as a strategic move, both for his career and for the Saudi football market.
Besides being a major star on the pitch, Neymar also brings enormous marketing appeal. His presence in Saudi football not only raises the competition’s level but also attracts sponsors and global media attention. This combination of factors makes his signing go beyond sporting performance, covering commercial aspects that benefit both the player and the club.
Key points about Neymar’s situation at Al-Hilal
- Neymar was sidelined for over a year after suffering a serious injury while playing for Brazil.
- Despite not playing, the player continued to receive his full salary, totaling €160 million annually.
- Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal is one of the most lucrative in world football, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
- The star is now ready to return to action and has been included in the squad for Al-Hilal’s next match in the AFC Champions League.
- Expectations for Neymar’s return are high, and the player will be gradually reintroduced to the team to avoid further injury risks.
With his return confirmed, Neymar now has the chance to show the world that he is still one of the best players in the game and can lead Al-Hilal to important victories. The challenge now is staying in shape and overcoming the adversities brought by the injury.
