From his early days in Santos, the world knew that a star had emerged and he was going to shake the football world. He took on football and graced the world stage earning him transfer to big teams like Barcelona and PSG before moving to Al Hilal.
These moves didn’t always come cheap, as he pulled up staggering amounts of transfer fees and mouth watering salary. However, after spells of injuries and a disappointing sojourn in the Saudi Pro League side, Al Hilal, his career took a downward turn. He left the world stage and went back to his roots.
So how did he cope with the changes in financial earnings? How much was Neymar’s salary after leaving the Saudi side? What’s his current earning? These and many more are the questions Kate Richardson, our guest writer, will be answering in this post.
What is Neymar’s Current Team?
After two years of a failed stint at Al Hilal due to a lingering injury, Neymar finally announced on his social media page that he was going on another journey. The forward who was signed from PSG for $94 million in August of 2023 didn’t meet up to the hype. After much rumors and speculations about his next move, some fans and bettors hinted at what the future could hold for this fading star. Infact, some bookmakers opened betting options on his next transfer moves, with odds on whether he would retire after his stint at Al-Hilal or probably move to the MLS or Brazil.
But on the 30th of January 2025, Neymar joined up with his boyhood club in Brazil, Santos where he hopes to rekindle his fire. But the truth remains that getting back to his glory days would be a tough task for the 33 year old. His return to Santos also adds a layer of excitement to the upcoming matches in the Brazilian Série A, as betting enthusiasts can stake and win big on either team outcomes or player stats.
However, we have to understand that Neymar’s move back to the Brazilian league is expected to come with its own potential impact especially on the betting markets. Bettors and fans should expect that there would be unexpected spikes in team and player performances.
Especially since the world will turn its attention to the South American continent as they try to take a final glimpse at the prince who never became king. So, this is also a great time for betting enthusiasts to take advantage of the opportunity and wager on Neymar’s player stat like First to score or Anytime goal scorer. For instance, some bookmakers offered odds (1.9) on Neymar to score on his debut. Although he didn’t score, this points to the fact that there’s a profitable market betting on the football star.
The Staggering Amount of Money Neymar Made After Playing Just Two Matches in 2024
After signing for Saudi Arabia outfit, Al Hilal, many wondered if Neymar would be able to shine in a not so competitive league. In fact, the reason for his purchase was due to the country’s push for big names in football who could help grow their league. However, the deal to sign Neymar is one they will probably regret in hindsight, as it was a total flop.
This was because all through the two years Neymar spent at Saudi Arabia, he only played 3 matches. His first year was even worse as he managed just one match throughout 2024. However during this two year period, his earnings was one of the highest in the league as it was worth about $157 million per year. This exorbitant figure raised questions among pundits and fans who felt Neymar’s salary was not justified when compared to his contribution to the team.
Even Palmeiras president, Leila Pereira threw a shade at Neymar saying, “Palmeiras is not a medical department. I do not accept that a player signed by Palmeiras is not ready to play immediately.“
What is Neymar’s Weekly Salary?
While Neymar was at Al Hilal he was earning an estimated $3.15 million per week despite his recurring injuries and limited play time. This amount was at the same range as the biggest stars in football—Ronaldo and Messi.
However after his move to Santos, he had to take a pay cut which saw his monthly wage drop to R$1M. This meant that his weekly wage had to drop to $41.5k, a pay he probably didn’t get throughout his time in career. Many believe that this pay cut was so he could still actively play football, as he has earned more than he needed while playing in Saudi Arabia.
What is Neymar’s Annual Salary?
When it comes to what Neymar’s annual salary is, we can say that he is one player that has been on the high side. However since his move to Santos, he has dropped down that list especially since he signed a 6-month deal with the Brazilian club. When we calculate the monthly earnings, this would put his “annual” salary at $996,000 by the end of this contract.
What is Neymar’s Career Earnings?
Only a few footballers can boast of having career earnings that surpasses Neymar’s. He is currently ranked as the third wealthiest footballer in the world behind the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. We also have to say that Neymar is one player that has had it good especially with the teams he has played for throughout his career.
When you combine the earnings from his contracts with Santos, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Hilal, then his career earnings are north of $350 million as at 2025. However we have to consider that he also made a substantial part of that money from his endorsement deals with brands like Red Bull and Puma.
How Much is Neymar’s Current Contract Worth?
As it stands, Neymar has dropped down from being recognized as one of the highest earning footballers. This was due to his move to Santos where he took a pay cut on his earnings. So how much does he earn with his current contract? We will have to say his current contract is worth about $966,000 for his 6-month deal with Santos.
What’s Next for Neymar?
With the Brazilian already reaching the end of his career, it’s clear that he would most likely end his career with Santos. However, the next step in his career would be determined by the outcome of his six month contract at the Brazilian side. Although bettors are not totally convinced that he would make an impact in his homeland with some concerned about his recurring injuries.If he performs well and doesn’t come up with his usual injury crisis, then he might get an extension on his contract. Just like former French striker, Nicholas Anelka said, “the big downside—of his career—is his injury.” However if he doesn’t show promise, then we would be witnessing the end of another football icon. So, this will be a good time to check out bookmakers and win big.