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“Leaving Wolves was my ‘hardest’ life decision – but now I could make stunning return this summer said by one of the greatest Wolves players of the Premier League era, left Molineux for a lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal – but will fans welcome him to Molineux Stadium?
A Wolves legend’s comments suggest a potential return to Molineux in the future.
It’s been almost two years since Ruben Neves, one of the standout players in Wolves’ Premier League history, departed for a high-paying contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. But could he make a return to Molineux one day?
At just 28 years old, the Portuguese midfielder is still in his prime, and remains deeply connected to his time at Wolves.
Not long ago, he admitted that leaving the club was “the hardest decision of my life.”
Neves, who has one year left on his contract with Al-Hilal, has been a regular in the Riyadh-based team since his £47m move in the summer of 2023.
However, there’s been no indication yet of a contract extension. So, is a return to Wolves in his future?
Ruben Neves hints at a possible Wolves return
In November, while recovering from a patellar tendon injury that kept him out for nearly two months, Neves made a trip back to Molineux to watch Wolves’ first league win of the season against Southampton.
During his visit, he spoke fondly about his time at the club and hinted that he could be open to returning one day.
“This club means a lot to us,” Neves said. “It’s not just about the club, it’s about the city, about the friends we made here.
Our kids, for example, were born and grew up here. Our family grew up here, so Wolverhampton means a lot to us.”
When asked if he would ever return to play for Wolves, Neves responded, “Life changes a lot. Of course, this is a special home for me and a special home for my family, so Wolves will always be in our minds, and there will always be a chance.
“I don’t want to create expectations for anyone because we know how football is. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but for sure, it’s an open door for me. I believe that if I can choose, Wolves will always be one of the options.”
Will Neves remain in Saudi Arabia?
Currently, there are no signs that Neves plans to leave Al-Hilal before his contract expires.
Unlike some players who have made the move to Saudi Arabia, such as former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, Neves has expressed no regret over his decision.
He has called life in Riyadh “amazing,” and mentioned that his children are happy there. When he left Wolves in 2023, he explained that accepting the offer from Al-Hilal was primarily to provide his family with the life he had always dreamed of for them.
However, his three-year contract with Al-Hilal (reportedly earning him £300,000 a week tax-free) runs through to the end of the 2025/26 season, with no clear indication of whether he will receive an extension or if he’ll want to stay.
Given Neves’ pivotal role in Wolves’ rise from the Championship to the Premier League, and how integral he was during their first five seasons back in the top flight, Wolves will likely be keeping an eye on his situation.
While a return might not be on the cards this summer, if Neves does consider leaving Saudi Arabia in the future, Wolves would be one of the frontrunners for his signature.
