Hours After $218,000,000 Al Hilal Move, Neymar Jr. Eyes a Return to $5,510,000,000 Ex-Employers Within 2 Years

The Saudi Pro League have bagged their latest marquee acquisition in Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar Jr., but just like the iconic Led Zeppelin song, it’s leaving everyone a bit “dazed and confused.”

Europe’s finest players have perhaps been enticed by the astronomical wages the newly formed Saudi Arabian league are dishing out, and Neymar is the latest big name superstar to move to the SPL. But on the other side of the coin, a lot of players are choosing the SPL as their final gig before retirement or a stepping stone for their next move, or to bank the staggering wages they’re being offered.

Neymar set to join Al Hilal but could return to Europe

Neymar is set to complete his transfer to Al Hilal from PSG for a transfer fee in the region of $98 million on a two-year deal that will see the Brazilian winger earn roughly around $218 million in wages.

However, just hours after his move to the Saudi Pro League, former PSG superstar Neymar suggests that he’s not entirely done playing in Europe and hinted that he could secure a move to his former club Barcelona after his stint in the SPL, according to a report in L’Equipe.

The French media outlet reports that Neymar has suggested that he could return to his former club Barcelona in 2025, after his two-year contract with Al Hilal expires.

You would think that it could be a sensational return to Camp Nou for the Brazilian forward which would see him reunite with his former teammate and current Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.

Also read: “Neymar in Saudi Arabia is a Ferrari in Clay” – Hours After $218,000,000 Offer, Brazilian Star’s Potential Al Hilal Move Compared to Cristiano Ronaldo

However, it seems like the pair share a fractious relationship as renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on his ‘Here We Go’ podcast, that Neymar made it clear that he wouldn’t return to Barcelona if Xavi remained at the helm of the Catalan club.

Neymar’s spell at Barcelona was a prolific one where he scored 105 goals and notched up 76 assists in 186 games for the Blaugrana and he remains a revered figure in the hearts of Barcelona fans. Likewise, the Brazilian still has aspirations to play for his national side in the upcoming World Cup.

Neymar still has World Cup aspirations

The L’Equipe report also states that Neymar has indicated that he intends to play for Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which could be the last time he graces the tournament.

Harboring such ambitions entail that he will have to still be playing at the highest level to maintain his fitness to be in contention for Brazil’s squad for the tournament, but whether that’s in Saudi Arabia, Europe or elsewhere remains to be seen.

The 31-year-old Brazilian attacker is still one of the best and most coveted names in world soccer, nevertheless, it seems as though his return to Catalonia which fans have been crying out for, will only contrive to materialize in 2025.

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