Neymar makes Al Hilal return after 12-month injury layoff

Neymar has made his first look in over a yr after struggling an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench within the second half of Al Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite conflict towards Al Ain.

The Brazil star changed Nasser Al Dawsari within the 77th minute, simply after Salem Al Dawsari had scored to place Al Hilal 5-3 forward. He almost made an on the spot impression, exchanging passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create area earlier than firing his shot simply extensive of the left-hand put up.

The sport completed 5-4 to Al Hilal after the United Arab Emirates-based Al Ain scored a last-gasp penalty to slim the scoreline.

On the pitch after the full-time whistle, Neymar mentioned: “I really feel good… I at all times have a superb crew. I am so joyful. I am again! I am again!

The previous Paris Saint-Germain participant suffered a cruciate knee ligament harm throughout Brazil’s qualifier towards Uruguay shortly after becoming a member of the Saudi Professional League (SPL). He underwent surgical procedure final November.

Neymar had joined Al Hilal in August 2023 from PSG in a €90 million switch, however performed simply 5 video games earlier than struggling the harm.

Neymar’s former membership Santos congratulated the participant on his return in a put up on X.

“It was greater than 12 months away from the sphere, with an immeasurable longing to return to doing what he loves a lot,” the Brazilian membership wrote.

“Neymar isn’t just a star. It is not simply genius. Neymar is synonymous with pleasure in soccer. His return is the happiness of tens of millions of followers around the globe. And, with regards to followers, the Santos nation has an incomparable feeling. A greater than particular bond with one of the best Brazilian participant of latest years.”

Neymar additionally acquired a message from Brazil’s Soccer Confederation (CBF) who wrote: “Neymar is the illustration of the magic of Brazilian soccer and captivates followers from all around the world. Followers from all around the planet proudly put on shirts of the Brazilian Nationwide Staff, Santos, PSG, Barcelona and Al-Hilal with the quantity 10 and Neymar’s title on the again. “The CBF celebrates and congratulates Neymar, one of many best gamers within the historical past of world soccer, on his return to the pitch.”

The ahead, who’s Brazil’s all-time main scorer, missed the 2024 Copa América that was received by Argentina.

He’s eligible to play within the AFC Champions League as there are not any restrictions on the variety of overseas gamers. Nonetheless, he’ll solely have the ability to be registered in January for the second half of the Saudi Professional League season.

SPL groups have limits to the variety of overseas gamers that may be registered.

Eight overseas gamers born earlier than 2003 will be registered for the squad, whereas the principles enable for 2 overseas gamers born in 2003 or after. Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal expires in June 2025.

Saudi champions Al Hilal, coached by Portuguese supervisor Jorge Jesus, lead the home standings having received all seven of their video games.

The CBF, in the meantime, are hopeful of getting Neymar accessible in time for the November World Cup qualifiers towards Venezuela and Uruguay.

Brazil are fourth of their World Cup qualifying group, 4 factors adrift of leaders Argentina after 10 video games.