At the age of 31, Neymar Jr. has bid farewell to European soccer, embarking on a new chapter with a rewarding two-year contract at Al-Hilal. The allure of substantial earnings prompted this move, leaving fans curious about the financial details behind his departure from Europe.
The Brazilian winger solidified his association with the Saudi club through a two-year agreement, amounting to a substantial $175 million over two years ($87.5 Million per season). Initial indications from France suggested that Al-Hilal initially approached Neymar with a four-year contract proposition. However, Neymar opted for a more concise two-year commitment.
Insights from social media unveil some of the additional benefits associated with this contract. These perks encompass a private plane at his disposal, a sprawling residence complete with staff, a noteworthy $88,000 bonus for each Al-Hilal victory, and a considerable $547,000 incentive for every social media post endorsing Saudi Arabia.
Neymar had fun in Europe 🕺 pic.twitter.com/j7TdVPBj0o
— GOAL (@goal) August 14, 2023
Comparatively, this new contract constitutes a raise from Neymar’s earnings during his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Under his most recent 2021 contract, Neymar Jr. commanded an approximate annual salary of $40 million.
Some reports on social media speculated Neymar’s potential return to Europe, particularly to FC Barcelona, following his two-year stint with Al-Hilal. As a free agent in 2025, the Brazilian’s purported move aligns with ambitions to enhance his skills, targeting the FIFA 2026 World Cup in North America.
In the exchange, PSG stands to accrue a transfer fee slightly under $100 million, per Fabrizio Romano’s insights. French sources, however, allude to a figure of around $88 million for Neymar’s transfer—a noteworthy achievement given his age and a historical injury record, which resulted in his absence for over 120 games during his six-year tenure at PSG.
Will Neymar Jr become the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League?
With Neymar Jr.’s recent lucrative agreement with Al-Hilal, it’s pertinent to gauge his position within the ranks of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a notable Portuguese figure, led the wave of high-profile transfers by making a move to Al-Nassr in January. Indications from various sources point to Ronaldo’s substantial yearly earnings of $226 million at the Saudi club.
In the summer, another impactful transfer unfolded as Real Madrid’s striker, Karim Benzema, embraced the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad. Reports suggest that the French player commands a noteworthy salary of approximately $220 million.
Neymar’s move to PSG in 2017 is 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 the world-record signing.
He scored goals, he dazzled, he won trophies.
But his time in Paris was a mixed bag 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/8mxB4UUt6o
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 14, 2023
In contrast, Neymar Jr.’s annual compensation of $87 million pales when juxtaposed against the earnings of former Real Madrid stars. He also trails N’Golo Kante, who is poised to secure $109 million each season with Al-Ittihad.
In light of these figures, Neymar Jr. secures the fourth spot among the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League with his new contract. However, it’s worth noting that reports allude to the potential for Neymar’s earnings to soar through add-ons and bonuses.