Brazilian superstar Neymar recently moved back to his boyhood club Santos after an underwhelming stint with Saudi Pro League Club Al Hilal.

Neymar had joined Al Hilal in August 2023, for a two-year deal but both parties mutually terminated the contract in January this year six months before its completion to facilitate the Brazilian's return to Santos.

Neymar spent most of his time in Saudi Arabia on the injured list due to a ligament injury on his knee and subsequent fitness issues and appeared in only seven games in one-and-a-half years at the club.

After his departure, Al Hilal's CEO Esteve Calzada told German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung that the 33-year-old is no longer at the level to deliver what was wanted from him at Al Hilal.

"The competition in our team is brutal. We have a limited number of places for foreign players and the players we have now are doing an excellent job. Neymar is not currently at the level to immediately deliver the performance we need to achieve our objectives," said Calzada.

He also spoke how the club could never really depend on the Brazilian forward and said terminating the contract "benefitted all parties".

"I am very sorry that we were never able to count on Neymar. As soon as he arrived, he ruptured his cruciate ligament. His departure is further proof that we at Al Hilal are looking for and need players capable of delivering maximum performance.

"As much as Neymar contributed to our marketing success , sporting performance comes first. And that's when we came to the conclusion that he was no longer capable of delivering what we expected. The agreement to terminate his contract benefited all parties."