The decision by Al-Hilal Saudi Club's management to temporarily remove the name of their Brazilian star Neymar Jr. from the local team's roster for the 2023-2024 season has sparked widespread controversy in sporting circles. This decision was a necessary administrative step to register the new signing, Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi, who arrived from Olympique Marseille during the winter transfer window.
Background of the decision and local regulations
The Saudi Professional League regulations stipulate that each club can only register eight foreign players on its domestic roster. With Al-Hilal's roster already full, the club's management had to make a difficult decision to free up a spot for Lodi. Given Neymar's serious injury – a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus sustained in October 2023 while on international duty with Brazil, which will keep him out of action for the rest of the season – removing his name from the roster was the most logical option from both a technical and administrative standpoint.
Neymar's future with "The Boss"
Multiple sources within the club, along with statements from head coach Jorge Jesus, have confirmed that this move is entirely temporary and does not affect Neymar's future with Al-Hilal. The Brazilian star is under contract with the club until the summer of 2025, and he is scheduled to be re-registered in the squad at the start of the 2024-2025 season, after completing his treatment and rehabilitation program and returning to training. The decision is seen as an administrative sacrifice aimed at strengthening the team in the short term without compromising the club's long-term strategic assets.
The importance and impact of the new deal
The signing of Renan Lodi comes as a boost to the left-back position, a priority for coach Jesus, especially given Yasser Al-Shahrani's intermittent injury absences. Lodi is expected to give the team added strength both defensively and offensively, contributing to Al-Hilal's continued strong competitiveness on all fronts, whether in the Saudi Professional League, the King's Cup, or the AFC Champions League. Despite Neymar's absence, Al-Hilal has demonstrated exceptional strength and leads the league standings by a comfortable margin, relying on a constellation of stars such as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Overall, Al-Hilal's management decision reflects wisdom and flexibility in dealing with emergency circumstances, balancing the immediate need to strengthen the team with holding on to one of the world's most prominent football stars as an essential part of its future project.
