Neymar makes Al Hilal return after 12-month injury layoff
Neymar has made his first appearance in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench in the second half of Al Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.
The Brazil star replaced Salem Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, just after the latter had scored to put his team 5-3 ahead.
Neymar forward suffered the injury shortly after joining the Saudi Pro League side while on international duty last October.
He signed for the Riyadh-based team in August 2023 and played just five games before sustaining the serious knee problem.
He is only eligible to play for Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League, where there is no limit on the number of foreign players allowed in a squad.
That is not the case in the Saudi Pro League, which will see him return only in January. Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal expires next summer.
