Neymar leaves Al-Hilal after seven appearances amid Santos return reports | Neymar

Neymar has parted ways with Al-Hilal by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League champions have said, after a disappointing spell at the club for Brazil’s top scorer.

The 32-year-old sustained a knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best. “Al-Hilal Club Company and Neymar Jr have agreed to terminate their contractual relationship by mutual consent,” the club posted on X.

Neymar played only seven games for Al-Hilal after moving from Paris St-Germain in a deal worth up to £86m in August 2023. Brazilian media have reported that the forward, who has scored 79 goals for the national team, will return to his childhood club Santos, whom he left in 2013 to join Barcelona. He moved to PSG from Barça for a world record €222m in August 2017.

Neymar scored one goal and had two assists for Al-Hilal, where his deal was due to expire after the club’s participation in this summer’s Fifa Club World Cup. Al-Hilal said they expressed “thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career” with them.

Neymar returned to action in October and made his most recent appearance in November. On 17 January he said in an interview he was considering playing again in Brazil. “I always said I want to play for Flamengo because of everything that involves Flamengo,” he said. “But Santos is my boyhood love, my home.”

Santos executives have repeatedly said they would like Neymar to return. He is focused on getting more playing time so he can best prepare for the World Cup next year, in what could be his last shot at winning the tournament.