Neymar Jr. decided this past summer transfer window to leave Paris Saint-Germain and European football. The capital club sold the 31-year-old to Al-Hilal for a reported €90 million.
A move to Saudi Arabia while still in his prime was questionable, considering he wouldn’t arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup playing in the best competitions in the world. Furthermore, it wasn’t only football fans raising an eyebrow at the move.
Former PSG midfielder Ander Herrera contested his ex-teammate’s decision to leave Europe and continue his career elsewhere.
“Neymar’s departure to Saudi Arabia? We must accept and respect this choice,” Herrera told ESPN (h/t Le10Sport). “But as a friend of Neymar and as a football fan, I would obviously like to see him play in Europe.
“We have to accept that some people prioritize making a lot of money. They probably win in two years what they haven’t won in 15 years in Europe.”
Even though Neymar has left PSG, the injuries continue to follow him. The Brazilian suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during the 2026 World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay on Oct. 17.
This latest injury could keep the 2015 UEFA Champions League winner out of action for eight months and be back in time for the Copa América, which will be contested in the United States next summer.
