In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona manager Xavi played a decisive role in preventing Neymar’s return to the club. Despite speculation about a potential reunion, the Brazilian forward ultimately signed for Al-Hilal, a club based in Saudi Arabia.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Neymar did not receive any offers from European clubs. Even new Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique made it clear that he had no plans for Neymar in the upcoming season. Consequently, the move to Saudi Arabia became the only viable option for the 31-year-old superstar.
Reports indicate that Xavi vetoed Neymar’s potential return, refusing to give the green light. Barcelona’s financial situation, which forced them to offload Ousmane Dembele and Franck Kessie, further complicated the matter. The club had to make swift transfers to afford Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez, and Oriol Romeu before their season opener against Getafe.
While Neymar expressed interest in rejoining his former club, the exorbitant transfer fee and wages associated with his move made it difficult for Barcelona to bear the cost. Ultimately, Al-Hilal paid PSG £86.3m for Neymar’s services, while the player will earn a salary of nearly £80m-per-year.
Interestingly, the same club showed interest in Kylian Mbappe, even having a bid accepted by PSG. However, Mbappe declined the opportunity to move to the Gulf state. With Neymar’s departure, it appears that Mbappe will remain at PSG, ending months of speculation about his future.
Xavi’s refusal to bring back Neymar showcases his determination to shape Barcelona in his own way. This approach has also been evident in his hesitation to provide regular first-team minutes to young talent like Ansu Fati, a decision that might drive the player out of the club.
For now, Neymar bids adieu to European football and gears up for his Al-Hilal debut against Al Feiha on Saturday. He will join recent signings Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and fellow Brazilian compatriot Malcom.