Neymar would have cost Al Hilal an enormous amount per game should the Brazilian never play for the Saudi Pro League club again through injury.
On Thursday it emerged the forward will have surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty with Brazil.
Neymar was taken off on a stretcher in tears during the 2-0 defeat by Uruguay on Tuesday, having landed awkwardly after a challenge in the first half of the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Montevideo.
Neymar wrote on Instagram: "It's a very sad time, the worst. I know I'm strong, but this time I'm going to need my family and friends even more."
He added: "It's not easy to go through injury and surgery, imagine going through it all again after four months of recovery."
It is unclear how long the 31-year-old will be out, but the usual prognosis for recovery from an ACL rupture or tear can be between eight to 10 months.
Meanwhile, there has been unfounded anxiety among fans that Brazil's all-time male top scorer may never play again, having struggled with injuries in recent years.
Should that be the case, few will be more disappointed than the Al Hilal hierarchy.
According to CBS, Neymar moved to the Saudi Pro League side from Paris Saint Germain this summer for an initial €90million (£78million) transfer fee.
Moreover, the publication claimed the cost of the player's wage package is "comparable" to the €200million (£173million) a year Cristiano Ronaldo earns at Riyadh rivals Al Nassr. He is on a two year contract.
Having made just five appearances so far at Al Hilal, three of which came in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar would have cost the club some €98million (£85million) an appearance should he never play again.
Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement: "Brazilian and world football need Neymar healthy and recovered because football is happier when he's on the pitch."
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