Neymar’s departure from Al-Hilal has paved the way for the Saudi club to target another Brazilian as their new star: Rodrygo Goes. In a bold move to strengthen their squad and maintain their international football prominence, Al-Hilal has initiated talks to assess the possibility of signing the Real Madrid forward. The Saudi club believes Rodrygo could be the ideal replacement for Neymar, taking on a leading role in the team and the Saudi league.
Arabian football has been aggressively pursuing international stars, and Al-Hilal’s latest move confirms their commitment to this strategy. With Neymar’s premature exit due to injuries and an early contract termination agreement, the Saudi club sees bringing in another high-profile player as essential to maintaining its global relevance. Rodrygo, meanwhile, is experiencing a great run at Real Madrid but still struggles to secure a more prominent role in a squad packed with elite players.
Al-Hilal’s offer, which is still in its early stages, is not just about financial figures but also about the promise of a project where Rodrygo would be the central figure. The Saudi club’s strategy involves convincing him that he could enjoy the kind of stardom at Al-Hilal that he hasn’t fully achieved at Real Madrid, where he shares the spotlight with Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and other top players.
🚨 O Al-Hilal quer Rodrygo Goes, e o Al-Ahli quer Vini Jr. neste verão.
Os sauditas estão prontos para apostar tudo.
[@geglobo] pic.twitter.com/1MQCqiawSF
— Real Madrid Brasil (@RealBrasil_BR) January 30, 2025
Al-Hilal’s project for Rodrygo after Neymar’s exit
Neymar’s departure has significantly impacted Al-Hilal’s sports project. The Brazilian, signed with high expectations, spent more time injured than on the field. To avoid another frustrating scenario, the club is searching for a younger replacement who can deliver consistency and be a core piece in the team’s structure.
Rodrygo, at 24 years old, appears to be the best option in this scenario. He has already demonstrated, both at Real Madrid and with the Brazilian national team, his ability to play in different attacking roles and decide important matches. Al-Hilal believes it can offer him a status similar to what Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys at Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad.
Beyond financial incentives, another attraction the Saudi club offers is the opportunity to become an ambassador for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the country. The Saudi government has been using football as a tool to strengthen its global image, and Rodrygo could play a key role in this initiative.
The impact of Neymar’s departure and Al-Hilal’s new scenario
With Neymar out of the picture, Al-Hilal must quickly fill the gap left by one of the most prominent players in recent football history. The club is aware that, to maintain its competitiveness and continue drawing international attention, it needs to ensure its new star meets the high expectations generated by the Saudi football expansion project.
In addition to Rodrygo, Mohamed Salah is also on the club’s radar, but negotiations for the Egyptian forward are even more complicated. Liverpool has been resistant to any transfer attempts, making the Brazilian a more feasible medium-term option. However, Al-Hilal’s top priority remains securing a player who reinforces its brand and keeps the Saudi league one of the most attractive destinations for elite footballers.
Real Madrid’s stance and negotiation challenges
Real Madrid has no intention of letting Rodrygo go easily. With a contract running until 2028 and a €1 billion release clause, the Brazilian is considered a crucial part of the club’s future. Club president Florentino Pérez has adopted a long-term strategy to retain young talent and is not keen on selling the player at this moment.
Real Madrid’s retention policy is clear: unlike some European clubs that have given in to the lure of Saudi money, the Spanish giants have firmly held onto their most promising players. Rodrygo, who has already proven his ability to deliver in crucial moments, is part of this long-term vision.
Rodrygo’s potential role at Al-Hilal if the transfer happens
If Rodrygo accepts Al-Hilal’s offer, he would take on a central role, becoming the team’s primary offensive reference. The club’s plan is to build him up as the squad’s main star, a status Neymar never fully assumed due to his recurring injuries. His potential arrival would not only impact the team’s on-field performance but also solidify the Saudi Pro League as a growing force in world football.
Rodrygo would become the face of Al-Hilal, much like Cristiano Ronaldo is for Al-Nassr. The opportunity to be one of Saudi football’s key international figures could be a crucial factor in the player’s decision.
Rodrygo’s stats at Real Madrid
- 8 goals and 4 assists in the last 10 games
- 10 goals and 6 assists in the 2024/25 season
- 20 direct goal contributions in the last 30 matches
- Contract until 2028 with a €1 billion release clause
Saudi football’s growth and the search for new stars
The Saudi government has made massive investments in football. Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023, the Saudi Pro League has become a highly competitive market, attracting top players like Benzema, Mané, and Neymar. However, Neymar’s premature exit has forced clubs to rethink their strategies to ensure star players stay for longer periods.
Rodrygo’s potential arrival would reinforce Saudi football’s goal of not only signing players in the final stages of their careers but also bringing in talents who still have many years of top-level football ahead.
Obstacles to Rodrygo’s transfer
Despite Al-Hilal’s enticing offer, several factors could make Rodrygo’s move to Saudi Arabia difficult:
- Real Madrid’s desire to keep him as a key player for the club’s future
- The competitiveness of the Champions League and other European tournaments, which offer greater visibility
- Rodrygo’s concerns about his status in the Brazilian national team, as a move to Saudi Arabia could impact his call-ups
- The adaptation to Saudi football and lifestyle, which has already been an issue for Neymar and other stars who moved to the league
Next steps in the negotiation
Al-Hilal has planted the seed for the offer and is waiting to see how things unfold in the coming months before deciding whether to advance in negotiations. If Rodrygo shows interest, the Saudi club is expected to submit a formal proposal to Real Madrid before the summer transfer window opens.
Rodrygo, in turn, will have to weigh the pros and cons of making such a significant career move. Staying at Real Madrid guarantees him the chance to compete for the world’s biggest titles, while joining Al-Hilal would offer him absolute star status, huge financial benefits, and a central role in Saudi Arabia’s sports project.

Neymar’s departure from Al-Hilal has paved the way for the Saudi club to target another Brazilian as their new star: Rodrygo Goes. In a bold move to strengthen their squad and maintain their international football prominence, Al-Hilal has initiated talks to assess the possibility of signing the Real Madrid forward. The Saudi club believes Rodrygo could be the ideal replacement for Neymar, taking on a leading role in the team and the Saudi league.
Arabian football has been aggressively pursuing international stars, and Al-Hilal’s latest move confirms their commitment to this strategy. With Neymar’s premature exit due to injuries and an early contract termination agreement, the Saudi club sees bringing in another high-profile player as essential to maintaining its global relevance. Rodrygo, meanwhile, is experiencing a great run at Real Madrid but still struggles to secure a more prominent role in a squad packed with elite players.
Al-Hilal’s offer, which is still in its early stages, is not just about financial figures but also about the promise of a project where Rodrygo would be the central figure. The Saudi club’s strategy involves convincing him that he could enjoy the kind of stardom at Al-Hilal that he hasn’t fully achieved at Real Madrid, where he shares the spotlight with Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and other top players.
🚨 O Al-Hilal quer Rodrygo Goes, e o Al-Ahli quer Vini Jr. neste verão.
Os sauditas estão prontos para apostar tudo.
[@geglobo] pic.twitter.com/1MQCqiawSF
— Real Madrid Brasil (@RealBrasil_BR) January 30, 2025
Al-Hilal’s project for Rodrygo after Neymar’s exit
Neymar’s departure has significantly impacted Al-Hilal’s sports project. The Brazilian, signed with high expectations, spent more time injured than on the field. To avoid another frustrating scenario, the club is searching for a younger replacement who can deliver consistency and be a core piece in the team’s structure.
Rodrygo, at 24 years old, appears to be the best option in this scenario. He has already demonstrated, both at Real Madrid and with the Brazilian national team, his ability to play in different attacking roles and decide important matches. Al-Hilal believes it can offer him a status similar to what Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys at Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad.
Beyond financial incentives, another attraction the Saudi club offers is the opportunity to become an ambassador for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the country. The Saudi government has been using football as a tool to strengthen its global image, and Rodrygo could play a key role in this initiative.
The impact of Neymar’s departure and Al-Hilal’s new scenario
With Neymar out of the picture, Al-Hilal must quickly fill the gap left by one of the most prominent players in recent football history. The club is aware that, to maintain its competitiveness and continue drawing international attention, it needs to ensure its new star meets the high expectations generated by the Saudi football expansion project.
In addition to Rodrygo, Mohamed Salah is also on the club’s radar, but negotiations for the Egyptian forward are even more complicated. Liverpool has been resistant to any transfer attempts, making the Brazilian a more feasible medium-term option. However, Al-Hilal’s top priority remains securing a player who reinforces its brand and keeps the Saudi league one of the most attractive destinations for elite footballers.
Real Madrid’s stance and negotiation challenges
Real Madrid has no intention of letting Rodrygo go easily. With a contract running until 2028 and a €1 billion release clause, the Brazilian is considered a crucial part of the club’s future. Club president Florentino Pérez has adopted a long-term strategy to retain young talent and is not keen on selling the player at this moment.
Real Madrid’s retention policy is clear: unlike some European clubs that have given in to the lure of Saudi money, the Spanish giants have firmly held onto their most promising players. Rodrygo, who has already proven his ability to deliver in crucial moments, is part of this long-term vision.
Rodrygo’s potential role at Al-Hilal if the transfer happens
If Rodrygo accepts Al-Hilal’s offer, he would take on a central role, becoming the team’s primary offensive reference. The club’s plan is to build him up as the squad’s main star, a status Neymar never fully assumed due to his recurring injuries. His potential arrival would not only impact the team’s on-field performance but also solidify the Saudi Pro League as a growing force in world football.
Rodrygo would become the face of Al-Hilal, much like Cristiano Ronaldo is for Al-Nassr. The opportunity to be one of Saudi football’s key international figures could be a crucial factor in the player’s decision.
Rodrygo’s stats at Real Madrid
- 8 goals and 4 assists in the last 10 games
- 10 goals and 6 assists in the 2024/25 season
- 20 direct goal contributions in the last 30 matches
- Contract until 2028 with a €1 billion release clause
Saudi football’s growth and the search for new stars
The Saudi government has made massive investments in football. Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023, the Saudi Pro League has become a highly competitive market, attracting top players like Benzema, Mané, and Neymar. However, Neymar’s premature exit has forced clubs to rethink their strategies to ensure star players stay for longer periods.
Rodrygo’s potential arrival would reinforce Saudi football’s goal of not only signing players in the final stages of their careers but also bringing in talents who still have many years of top-level football ahead.
Obstacles to Rodrygo’s transfer
Despite Al-Hilal’s enticing offer, several factors could make Rodrygo’s move to Saudi Arabia difficult:
- Real Madrid’s desire to keep him as a key player for the club’s future
- The competitiveness of the Champions League and other European tournaments, which offer greater visibility
- Rodrygo’s concerns about his status in the Brazilian national team, as a move to Saudi Arabia could impact his call-ups
- The adaptation to Saudi football and lifestyle, which has already been an issue for Neymar and other stars who moved to the league
Next steps in the negotiation
Al-Hilal has planted the seed for the offer and is waiting to see how things unfold in the coming months before deciding whether to advance in negotiations. If Rodrygo shows interest, the Saudi club is expected to submit a formal proposal to Real Madrid before the summer transfer window opens.
Rodrygo, in turn, will have to weigh the pros and cons of making such a significant career move. Staying at Real Madrid guarantees him the chance to compete for the world’s biggest titles, while joining Al-Hilal would offer him absolute star status, huge financial benefits, and a central role in Saudi Arabia’s sports project.
