‘Look At The Situation...’: Al-Hilal Coach Dismisses Notion of Imminent Neymar JR Return to Football

Although Neymar Jr. is among the most well-known names in football, his career has suffered a terrible turn recently as regular injuries afflicting him every time he gets on the pitch to show his ability. Neymar signed the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in 2023 for a record price; however, he only participated five games after a knee ailment sidelined him for the season. Neymar has subsequently been rehabilitating since last playing for Brazil in a WC qualification in October 2023. Though many still question whether Neymar will go back on the pitch after nearly a year of absence, supporters may expect his appearance on the pitch before the season finishes but according to an update from the Al-Hilal coach, there is no chance for him to return before 2024.

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Al-Hilal coach says Neymar is not yet ready for football owing to his injury 

Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to play for Al-Hilal, the head coach of the Saudi Arabian club has announced.

The Brazilian star signed for the Riyadh team in August 2023 but played just five games when he underwent surgery after rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while on international duty in October.

After Neymar, 32, returned to training in July, speculation grew that he was close to a return but coach Jorge Jesus dampened expectations in a post-match media conference.

“Neymar is an important player for Al-Hilal and the league in general,” Jesus, who led Al-Hilal to a 19th league title in May, said on Tuesday. “I can’t, however, specify a date as to when he will return but we will look at the situation in January.”

Neymar will be able to be registered by Al-Hilal in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League (SPL ) season.

With SPL teams allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21, Neymar’s place in the roster for the first half of the league campaign was taken by Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica earlier in September.

Upon return to fitness Neymar, whose two-year contract ends next August, is eligible, however, to appear in Al-Hilal’s ongoing AFC Champions League Elite campaign as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed.

(With AP inputs)