Jorge Jesus, coach of Al-Hilal, gave news of Neymar, who came out injured and very affected on Monday during his second match since his return after a year of absence.
Neymar (32) left the field injured and angry on Monday during Al-Hilal's victory against Esteghlal FC (3-0) in the Asian Champions League. The Brazilian was playing his second match since his return to competition on October 21 after a year of absence due to a serious left knee injury. Coming into play in the second half (58th), he was replaced a little less than thirty minutes later (87th) after holding his right thigh.
Two weeks of absence?
At the end of the meeting, his trainer Jorge Jesus wanted to be reassuring about the state of his star, visibly very affected by this relapse in view of his disappointed behavior on the sidelines. “He is coming back from an injury which is not easy,” said the Portuguese technician, in comments reported by Globo Esporte. “He plays in a position that makes him very vulnerable to contact. I believe his injury is muscular, not knee. He should be out for at least two weeks.”
If the coach's first diagnosis is verified, it would not affect his plan for a gradual return to the highest level. The Brazilian international (128 caps, 79 goals) was not included on the list of players eligible for Saudi championship matches. The former PSG player must be content with the Asian Champions League where the next meeting is scheduled for November 26 against Al-Sadd.
“I did not register him in the championship because I knew that it (an injury) could happen again. It is not a simple injury,” recalled the coach regarding the very serious injury of his victim player , on October 17, 2023, of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus of the left knee during a match between Uruguay and Brazil (2-0).
