It was an action that shocked the football community. Neymar, a legend in Brazil, moved from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain in a record-breaking £200 million transaction six years ago. At age 31, the forward is once again on the move. This time, he decides to play football in Saudi Arabia, leaving behind European football, at least temporarily. He has reportedly signed a two-year deal of 150 million euros (£129 million) a year, which is six times what he was paid at PSG. On that note, let us take you through Neymar’s Journey From Santos To Saudi Arabia.
Neymar’s Journey From Santos To Saudi Arabia
Neymar played 173 games with PSG and contributed to their 13 victories, which included five Ligue 1 championships. However, Neymar was brought in to help the French powerhouses win Europe’s most coveted award—the Champions League—which they only came close to doing in the 2020 final. Many of his countrymen believe it hasn’t been successful. Tim Vickery, a South American football expert, told the BBC World Service that by leaving elite European football, he was effectively fleeing the war.
Neymar’s career is filled with highs and lows. It is the most recent chapter of Neymer’s career. Here is Neymar’s journey from Santos to Saudi Arabia.
Neymar’s Journey From Santos To Saudi Arabia: 2009 – Senior debut at Santos

Neymar began his professional career in his home country of Brazil, signing his first deal with Santos at the age of 17. At the same age, he made his senior debut on March 7, 2009, in a 2-1 victory over Oeste, entering as a replacement in the second half. A week later, he defeated Mogi Mirim for his first Santos goal. He concluded the season with 14 goals in 48 games.
2010 – Brazil’s debut
The adolescent Neymar was called up by Brazil just over a year after making his professional debut. On August 10, he played in a friendly match against the USA. He headed Andre Santos’ cross past Tim Howard in just 28 minutes to score on his debut. Although Neymar has 77 goals to his name in 124 matches for Brazil, his first goal is still one of his all-time favorites.
2013 – Barcelona and Brazil’s success
After being linked with other elite European teams, Neymar joined Barcelona after helping Santos win the Copa Libertadores in 2011—their first since 1963. In just his second season, Neymar helped the Spanish powerhouses win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League while partnering with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in a front three that came to be known as “MSN.”
He assisted Brazil in winning the Fifa Confederations Cup shortly after joining Barcelona and was awarded the competition’s best player.
Neymar’s Journey From Santos To Saudi Arabia: 2014 – Heartbreak at Home World Cup

By this point, Neymar’s star had already begun to shine brilliantly, and with Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014, many people believed he would be the one to take his nation to victory. A nation held its breath as Neymar collapsed clutching his back in the quarterfinal against Colombia after being kneed by Juan Zuniga, even though his picture was plastered everywhere before and throughout the competition.
Brazil prevailed 2-1, but at a price as Neymar will miss the remainder of the World Cup due to a fractured vertebra. The semi-final would only make matters worse as Brazil was humiliated 7-1 by eventual champion Germany.
2016 – Record-breaking season and Olympic gold
As one of the most lethal strike combinations in club football, Neymar, Messi, and Suarez combined to score 131 goals in 2015–16, which is a record for an offensive trio in Spanish football. Before Neymar joined the Brazil team for the 2016 Rio Olympics, his goals helped Barcelona win the La Liga and Copa del Rey domestic double.
Neymar netted the winning penalty as Brazil defeated Germany in a shootout to claim their first men’s Olympic football gold medal, two years after his World Cup injury sorrow.
2017 – The move to France
Neymar created waves around the world of football in 2017 when he left Barcelona to sign with PSG for an eye-popping £200 million after scoring 105 goals in 186 games. In his August debut, he scored one goal and provided one assist against Guingamp. After joining forces with Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe to form a potent attacking trio, Neymar scored 28 goals in 30 games as PSG won the Ligue 1, French Cup, and League Cup treble.
But he broke his metatarsal, which was the first of several injuries that would ruin his stay in Paris, ending his season.
2019-20 – Champions League final but uncertain future
Neymar was linked with a return to Barcelona after spending two years with PSG, and speculation about his possible exit dominated the summer of 2019. He infuriated PSG by missing the first day of preseason practice in July, but he ultimately remained in Paris.
His season was once again hampered by injury. But he nevertheless helped PSG win Ligue 1 and make history by defeating Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
2021-23 – Ups and downs as the end approaches
When Messi reunited with Neymar after leaving Barcelona, they played together once more. However, that season, Neymar struggled, scoring just 13 goals across all competitions, his lowest total since going to Europe.
Neymar appeared to regain his form in 2022–23. He scored and settled up 13 goals in his first five league games alongside Messi and Mbappe. But ankle surgery in March prevented him from playing the rest of the season. He played his last game for the team in a 4-3 victory against Lille in February. He scored PSG’s second goal in the process.
So, this was all about Neymar’s Journey From Santos To Saudi Arabia.