In the summer of 2023, Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain and joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, attracted by a significant financial offer. However, the calendar year 2024 was marked by a serious knee injury that he suffered in October 2023, while serving for the Brazilian national team, during a qualifying game for the 2026 World Cup against Uruguay. This injury sidelined him for much of the year, meaning the Brazilian player touched the ball less than expected.
With the injury, Neymar only played two matches for Al Hilal in 2024, he reveals, both in the Asian Champions League. In these matches, against Al Ain and Esteghlal, the striker was a substitute used by coach Jorge Jesus, spending a total of 42 minutes on the field and touching the ball 45 times. These numbers become particularly impressive when analyzed in light of the salary Neymar received.
According to calculations carried out by the French website FootmercatoNeymar earned 101 million euros in 2024, which places him as the third highest-paid football player in the world, behind Lionel Messi (124 million euros) and Cristiano Ronaldo (263 million euros). Based on these values, the Brazilian player earned 2.4 million euros for every minute played and more than 1.12 million euros for every touch of the ball in these two games.
Neymar’s case reflects the high amounts invested by Saudi clubs to attract world football stars. Despite injuries and little time on the field, millionaire contracts continue to mark the current phase of the Brazilian player’s career, who continues to be one of the most popular and financially valued figures in sport.
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