In an unexpected turn of events, Neymar Jr., the illustrious Brazilian footballer, has been secured by Saudi's Al Hilal in a groundbreaking deal of €90 million ($98 million) with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This agreement marks the highest ever transfer fee for the Saudi Pro League, a testament to the nation's increasing investment in top-tier soccer players.
Al Hilal's acquisition comes on the heels of their city rivals Al Nassr's remarkable signing of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year. Despite the league's evident interest in elite footballing talent, bids for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, both of whom shared the pitch with Neymar at PSG last season, were turned down.
Neymar's impending contract with Al Hilal is a two-year arrangement that promises the 31-year-old an impressive yearly pay of approximately $100 million. To put this in perspective, this is about half the alleged salary of Ronaldo, who, at 38, is still a dominant force in football.
Rumors had been rife that both Neymar and Messi harbored desires to return to their former home, FC Barcelona. However, financial challenges at the Catalan club deterred such ambitions, leading Messi to opt for the American Major League Soccer's Inter Miami earlier in June.
The financial might behind such monumental signings comes from the sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The PIF, boasting assets nearing $700 billion, oversees four of Saudi's prominent clubs, including Al Hilal. Among its ventures, it notably initiated the LIV Golf series, which aimed to compete with the PGA Tour, though the two entities eventually decided to collaborate.
This massive investment in football aligns with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman's aspirations to make significant inroads in global sports.
As Neymar's signing inched closer to finalization, Al Hilal showcased their prowess in the season's inaugural league match. The team introduced their recent acquisitions, Brazilian winger Malcom and Portugal's midfielder Ruben Neves. These players were purchased for a reported €60 million ($65 million) from Zenit St. Petersburg and €55 million ($60 million) from Wolverhampton respectively, previously holding the record for the priciest transfers in Saudi football.
Neymar's transfer history has been a topic of discussion among football enthusiasts. He transitioned from Brazil's Santos to Barcelona in 2013 for an estimated €57.1 million. His move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 was particularly notable, commanding a world-record fee of €222 million.