Al-Hilal will NOT register Neymar for second half of Saudi Pro League season with 'damaged' Brazilian deemed to be a 'drain' on the club

Neymar's time at Al-Hilal may be coming to an abrupt end after the Pro League club informed authorities they do not plan to register the Brazilian for the second half of the season, according to Saudi journalist Walid Al-Faraj. The decision means the club must now decide to either terminate his current contract, which expires in the summer of 2025, or sell him in the January transfer window. Al-Hilal have taken the decision to ditch their €90 million (£77.2m/$98.3m) superstar after he was forced onto the sidelines again with a fresh issue just weeks after making his long-awaited return from an ACL injury that kept him out of the game for 12 months.

Neymar was making just his second outing of the season for Al-Hilal, who did not register him for domestic action in the first half of the season, when he limped out of their AFC Champions League win against Esteghlal after just 30 minutes with an apparent muscle problem. The Brazilian admitted after the game that doctors had warned him such issues may arise after such a lengthy spell out. Al-Hilal still have two AFC Champions League fixtures before the turn of the year, but it remains to be seen if and when fans will be able to see Neymar again in Al-Hilal colours.

Sports critic Mohammed Al-Sheikh offered the following verdict on Neymar: "The number of days he [Neymar] has been absent is more than the number of days he has played. He is a damaged player and also neglected and this is very clear. He is very talented but his body is prone to injuries. His continuation is a drain on Al-Hilal financially and technically and the club must get rid of him even if it costs them paying the full value of the penalty clause."

Neymar has already been linked with a move to MLS side Inter Miami to link up with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, although manager Tata Martino has played down such talk due to the league's financial rules. The Brazilian would surely welcome such a move after a difficult spell at Al-Hilal where he has managed just seven appearances since joining from PSG in August 2023.