Neymar returns to Al-Hilal after a year-long injury layoff

Brazil winger Neymar made his first appearance for Al-Hilal over 365 days after recovering from surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

Brazilian forward Neymar made his much-anticipated return to the pitch for Al-Hilal, marking his first appearance in over a year following an extended recovery from a serious knee injury.

The 32-year-old entered the game in the 77th minute during Al-Hilal’s thrilling 5-4 win over UAE Pro League side Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League.

Recovering From Major Surgery

Neymar’s absence was due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee, sustained on October 17, 2023, while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. He underwent surgery the following month, which kept him sidelined for nearly a year.

Close to Scoring on His Return

Although Neymar didn’t score, he came close to marking his comeback with a goal, participating in a late counter-attack by Al-Hilal.

However, possession switched, and Al-Ain pulled a goal back before the match concluded. Despite not finding the back of the net, his return was a key highlight of the match.

A Career Impacted by Injuries

Neymar joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 for a fee of around 90 million euros (£77.6m).

However, his time at the Saudi club has been plagued by injuries, as he ruptured his ACL after just five appearances for the club. Prior to that, Neymar’s last two seasons at PSG were also disrupted by ankle injuries, limiting his time on the pitch.

Brazil’s All-Time Top Goalscorer

Even with these injury setbacks, Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading male goalscorer.

His return to competitive football will be closely watched as he aims to regain full form and contribute to both Al-Hilal and the Brazilian national team.

This return marks an important step in Neymar’s recovery, with fans eagerly awaiting his next performance.