Having undergone surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee almost a year ago, Neymar is gradually getting closer to a return to competition. Al-Hilal is counting on him for 2025.
Screams of pain, tears and being carried off on a stretcher. That’s the last image of Neymar on a football pitch. Since his serious injury to his left knee on October 18, 2023 in Montevideo, during a match between Brazil and Uruguay, the former Parisian has still not put his boots back on. And his return is not likely to happen right away.
No specific date
According to the statements of Jorge Jesus, his coach at Al-Hilal, we will have to wait until 2025 to see him back in action. “Neymar is a very important player, not only for us but also for the whole championship. However, I do not want to give a precise date for his return. We will take another look at his physical condition in January,” said the Portuguese coach at a press conference.
Neymar seems to be on the right track, however, as his club recently posted videos showing him chaining shots in training. Arriving in Saudi Arabia for a cheque of 90 million euros in the summer of 2023, the 32-year-old Brazilian only played five games with Al-Hilal before getting injured. This did not prevent his team from winning the championship last season thanks in particular to the 28 goals of its Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
This season, Al-Hilal once again leads the standings with twelve points taken from a possible twelve in the first four matches.
