As Al-Hilal prepares to face Qatari opponents Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League 2024-25, the absence of Neymar Jr looms large. Despite recent underwhelming performances resulting in a drop of three points in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hilal is keen to turn things around.
In a crucial midfield role, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will be instrumental in supporting Al-Hilal’s attacking line, while Aleksandar Mitrovic is expected to lead the charge as the only striker in the final third. The last outing in the AFC Champions League saw Al-Hilal settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw against Al Sadd, prompting a renewed focus on their upcoming clash against Al-Gharafa.
The stakes are particularly high for Al-Hilal, looking to reclaim their position at the top of Group B after being overtaken by Al-Ahli Saudi. With a potential victory against Al-Gharafa, they could not only secure crucial points but also regain their footing in the tournament.
However, the spotlight is on Neymar Jr, who has been conspicuously absent from the squad for the last four matches. Following a brief return where he played a couple of substitute appearances for Al-Nassr, there has been no confirmation from either the club or the player regarding his participation in this high-stakes encounter. Notably, Neymar was missing from the training sessions leading up to the ACL Elite match, fueling speculation about his future with Al-Hilal.
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Rumors swirl about Neymar possibly departing as a free agent, with a potential return to his boyhood club Santos in Brazil being floated. At just 32 years of age, the Brazilian talent still has plenty to offer, and his next move could be pivotal.
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