In a startling revelation highlighting the vast financial disparities present in modern football, Brazilian footballer Neymar secured a significant paycheck from Saudi club Al-Hilal despite minimal time on the pitch.

Over the past year, Neymar, who joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain for a hefty $92 million in August 2023, earned his full salary despite spending most of the year recovering from injuries.

Neymar’s physical woes began in October 2023 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, sidelining him for almost the entire season.

After an anticipated return in November 2024, he suffered another setback — a hamstring tear that further delayed his consistent participation.

Despite these challenges, Neymar, who is 32 years old, collected his full annual salary of $104 million from Al-Hilal.

The financial specifics of his contract have drawn significant attention, especially given that his contributions on-field in 2024 amounted to just two appearances.

These matches were against Al Ain of the UAE and Iran's Esteghlal in the elite stages of the Asian Champions League.

The statistics are as remarkable as they are bold: Neymar played 13 minutes in the match against Al Ain and 29 minutes against Esteghlal, totaling a mere 42 minutes on the field for the year.

French publication 'Foot Mercato' broke down the numbers, estimating that Neymar effectively earned $52 million per match, $2.45 million per minute, and $1.12 million per touch of the ball.

Such figures have reignited discussions around the economics of football, wage distributions among high-profile athletes, and the financial strategies of clubs like Al-Hilal, who are keen on boosting their international profiles by acquiring globally recognized stars.

Neymar's contract is set to expire in June 2025, leaving room for speculation on his future career trajectory and the evolving financial landscape of football clubs in regions like the Middle East.