RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Neymar suffered another injury on Monday in just his second game since returning from a 12-month layoff. His Saudi club, Al Hilal, beat Iran’s Esteghlal 3-0 in the Asian Champions League.
The Brazilian star, who recently recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, entered the field in Riyadh after 58 minutes. However, the 32-year-old striker had to come off with three minutes remaining after what appeared to be an injury after stretching his leg to reach the ball in the penalty area.
Neymar has time to recover before his next match, as he has not been called up for the team’s matches in the Saudi league, and the next match in the Asian tournament would be on November 25.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat trick for Al Hilal. The four-time Asian champion who has won each of his four matches in the group stage.
The Serbian striker’s three goals were from close range. He opened the scoring in the 15th minute, added a second just after the half-hour mark and completed his hat-trick with 16 minutes remaining.
Al Hilal remain at the top of the 12-team group, where the top eight will advance to the round of 16. They are above Saudi rival Al Ahli on goal difference after the Jeddah team beat Al Shorta of Iraq 5-1. Brazilian Roberto Firmino scored twice in the first half.
Previously, Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew 1-1 with Al Sadd of Qatar and Persepolis of Iran and Al-Gharafa of Qatar tied with the same score.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool.
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