Brazilian football star Neymar has officially returned to team training with his Saudi club Al-Hilal, marking a significant milestone after nearly a year on the sidelines due to a severe left knee injury.
The 32-year-old forward, who joined Al-Hilal in a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023, has been eagerly awaited by fans and teammates alike, following his challenging recovery journey.
Neymar’s injury woes began shortly after his transfer, as he sustained a rupture of both the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty with Brazil in October.
This unfortunate turn of events limited him to just five appearances for Al-Hilal, causing frustration for the player and his new club. After undergoing surgery, Neymar commenced individual training in July, gradually working his way back to fitness.
On Monday, Neymar took to Instagram to share his excitement about returning to the group, posting images of himself running and kicking the ball, under the watchful eye of Al-Hilal’s Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus. “Happy to be back in the group,” he captioned the post, reflecting his relief and joy at rejoining his teammates.
Despite this positive development, Neymar’s return to competitive matches remains contingent on two factors: his technical readiness and the decision of the coaching staff.
An anonymous club official stated, “His return to competitive games will depend on his technical readiness and the coach’s decision.”
This cautious approach is indicative of Al-Hilal’s intent to ensure Neymar is fully fit before returning to the rigors of professional football.
Brazil’s national team coach, Dorival Junior, recently emphasized the importance of patience during Neymar’s recovery, leaving the star out of the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru. Junior’s decision underscores the need to prioritize Neymar’s long-term health over immediate availability.
While Neymar continues to work towards full fitness, Al-Hilal is navigating the current Saudi Pro League season without him. The reigning Saudi champions have yet to register Neymar for the ongoing season, which commenced last month.
However, the club has included him in their roster for the AFC Champions League, Asia’s most prestigious club tournament, setting the stage for his potential return to competitive action.
Al-Hilal enjoyed a stellar season in 2023, winning the Saudi league title with remarkable ease, finishing unbeaten with 31 wins and three draws. The team also set a new record with 34 consecutive victories across all competitions before their impressive run was halted in the Champions League semifinals by the UAE’s Al Ain.
As Neymar continues his rehabilitation and training, Al-Hilal fans remain optimistic about his return, hoping that the Brazilian superstar can regain his form and contribute significantly to the team’s pursuit of more silverware.
With his high-profile salary of approximately 100 million euros ($112 million) a year, the expectations are substantial, and Neymar’s return could be pivotal in maintaining Al-Hilal’s dominance in both domestic and continental competitions.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Neymar as he works towards a full comeback, ready to once again dazzle fans with his exceptional skills on the pitch.