Neymar keen on returning to Barcelona as Saudi struggles continue

Back in 2017, Neymar’s departure opened up the floodgates to Barcelona’s slow decline as the club massively misused the €200 odd million PSG paid to them for the Brazilian’s services.

They have, since, tried to close the Neymar chapter for good, but somehow it seems neither the player, nor the club are fully ready to let go.

Neymar has been linked to Barcelona pretty much every transfer window since he left, and was even close to re-joining at some point in the last few years, but the move never quite went through for several reasons.

Seven years since he left, though, it seems Neymar is still very keen about playing for Barcelona, and has opened up the door for the same, as per a report by Bar Canaletes.

Struggling in Saudi Arabia

Neymar was among the latest wave of world-class footballers to leave Europe in favour of Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Hilal for €90 million in the summer of 2023.

A lot of big things were expected of him during the season, but the player tore his right ACL, and completely ruptured his left meniscus before the campaign even began, and was, therefore, ruled out for the entire season.

An ACL tear AND a meniscus injury at the age of 32 is potentially career-ending. If not, it would hamper his playing style massively, abating his pace and athleticism.

Barcelona door should be closed

Neymar only signed a two-year contract with Al-Hilal, which would see him earn €275 million guaranteed, with the money expected to rise up to €370 million through commercial deals and image rights.

There is no way the Saudi giants let him leave this summer after investing so much money in his signature, especially without him playing a single minute.

And while Barcelona need a left-winger, Neymar cannot be the answer to their solutions. 32, injury prone, and on a bizarre salary figure, there is little to no way the Brazilian’s wishes are even considered, let alone granted.