On September 7, the transfer window officially closed its doors in Saudi Arabia after a record-breaking summer. Indeed, several Saudi Pro League teams have invested massively to strengthen themselves with foreign players, including several stars. To respond to Al Nassr, who recruited Cristiano Ronaldo in January 2023, and Al-Ittihad, who bet on Karim Benzema, Al-Hilal decided to make Neymar its new star. Pushed towards the exit of Paris Saint-Germain after six years of good and loyal service, but also of passages through the infirmary, the Brazilian said yes to the Saudi team.
Al-Hilal lost its star
A club which did not hesitate to bet €90 million (excluding bonus) for his transfer, while rolling out the red carpet for him. As explained on our site, the Saudis gave in to the 31-year-old’s numerous demands. In addition to a salary equivalent to that of KB9 (€200 million per year) as well as the possibility of having control over his image rights, the former FC Barcelona player obtained a superb house with staff at his disposal , several luxury cars, a private plane that he can use whenever he wants and various bonuses depending on his team’s victories and his publications on Saudi Arabia.
Pampered, Neymar tried to respond on the pitch. If the player had not yet shown his best version, he had scored 1 goal in 5 appearances in all competitions. But we won’t see him again in the Al-Hilal jersey for a very long time. Nine months according to the Saudi press. Indeed, Ney, affected during the match between Uruguay and Brazil, suffers from “rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus of the left knee.” Terrible news for the player, the Seleção and his club. Indeed, Al-Hilal had invested massively in him to be the headliner of his project.
The Saudi club will relaunch Lionel Messi
But the team coached by Jorge Jesus does not intend to be defeated and has already started looking for a new star. In fact, the Saudi newspaper alriyadh, which cites sources close to the club, indicates that two players are targeted to compensate for the loss of Neymar. The first is Lionel Messi (36 years old). Originally, it was him that Al-Hilal wanted to recruit last summer. But the Argentinian did not respond favorably since his wife was not in favor of joining Saudi Arabia. Close to a return to FC Barcelona, he finally joined David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
A club with which he will not play in the MLS play-offs. Al-Hilal therefore intends to take advantage of this to obtain a loan from Pulga, which has the right to play for two clubs during the same season. If a return to Barça is mentioned, the Saudi team will resume negotiations with the player and his entourage so that he comes to play for a few months in the SPL. But last summer, Messi refused a golden bridge (between €400 and €500 million per season). However, the Saudi publication explains that Al-Hilal has learned from his mistakes and will negotiate differently with the player and his relatives.
The Kylian Mbappé dream
Within Al-Hilal, it is believed that there is a chance that the seven-time Ballon d’Or will accept. The presence of Neymar, who will praise the merits of the club and the championship, can weigh in addition to the financial aspect. But Al-Hilal is not following just one lead in order to put all the chances on his side. Indeed, alriyadh explains that Kylian Mbappé (24 years old) is also targeted. Last summer, the Saudis made a great offer for the 2018 world champion. In conflict with the player who refused to extend his contract, PSG accepted. KM7 did not follow up.
A few months later, relations between Paris and the captain of the Blues are better. But he still does not intend to extend his lease beyond June 2024, he who could sit on his loyalty bonuses so that PSG does not lose too much money. While his name is still linked to Real Madrid, who no longer necessarily count on him, Mbappé is therefore once again on the shelves of Al-Hilal. But we can’t imagine him joining the Saudi Pro League and even less playing for the club that Neymar joined. Indeed, relations between the two men cooled in Paris. But this does not seem to disturb Al-Hilal, who will leave it to Jorge Jesus to decide on Ney’s replacement. He has until January to decide.
