Neymar suffers injury following Al Hilal return

Football enthusiasts eagerly anticipated Neymar’s return to Al Hilal during the AFC Champions League match against Esteghlal FC, marking his comeback following more than a year on the sidelines. After what seemed to be a muscle-related injury, Neymar provided a significant update on his condition prior to undergoing official medical examinations.

Neymar managed to play only 29 minutes in the match against Esteghlal, joining the game in the 58th minute. A poorly executed leg extension compelled the Brazilian to leave the field in the 87th minute, raising concerns among fans about his health. To ease the worries of supporters, Neymar took to social media.

“I felt like a cramp but very strong! I will do exams and hope it’s nothing more,” Neymar wrote in an Instagram story. “It’s normal for this to happen after 1 year, the doctors had already warned me, this is why I need to be careful and have more minutes to play,” he ended.

Neymar has played just 42 minutes across two matches for Al Hilal since recovering from his left knee’s ACL and meniscus injury. Following this latest setback, the star must exercise greater caution if he wishes to regain his form.

The upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Al Ettifaq on Friday will not be affected, as he was not registered to play in league matches this season. Instead, Neymar is only eligible to participate in the AFC Champions League, with the next game set for November 26—providing him with additional time to heal.

Additionally, Neymar is anticipated to miss Brazil’s World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Uruguay. Brazil’s head coach Dorival Junior commented on Neymar’s situation previously, indicating that he would refrain from including him in the squad to facilitate a complete recovery and return to optimal form.