The Brazilian superstar Neymar recently returned to action after a year away with hopes of revitalizing his career and aura, but his bad luck isn’t going anywhere. He made his awaited return in Al Hilal’s clash against Al-Ain clash where he played 13 minutes which got the fans hyped up over the prospect of seeing the samba magic back in action. However, his second cameo which was expected as a step towards redemption, has turned out to be his biggest nightmare as he not only picked up an injury, but clouds are hanging over his future as well.
In his second appearance, Neymar pulled up his hamstring muscle and was subbed off in the 29th minute. He looked in severe pain while limping off the pitch right after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, his unnatural exit has once again raised questions about his fitness and recovery.
Following the release of scan reports, it was estimated Neymar would need at least 4 weeks to recover. However, recent developments from Al Hilal’s backroom have raised concerns regarding Neymar’s future, as the club is reportedly looking to offload the Brazilian due to his poor injury history.
Neymar can leave free if Al-Hilal opts against registering him
As per Saudi journalist Walid Al-Faraj, Neymar’s spree with Al-Hilal could be cut short with the club looking to manage their squad dynamics for the second half of the season. Al Hilal has some talented players in their arsenal, but they can only register eight foreign players over the age of 21. Since they are the defending champions of the Saudi League and currently sit atop the table, it is unlikely that Neymar’s absence will affect their plans, and keeping Neymar could cost them more than leaving him out.
According to Saudi Pro League rules, if Al-Hilal chooses not to register Neymar for the second half of the season, he is eligible for a free transfer in January, which could lead to Neymar’s reunion with Suarez and Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
How Neymar Reacted to Injury Fear?
After being taken off the field, the 31-year-old showed his frustration by throwing his shin pads as he took a seat on the bench following sustaining a cramp in the middle of the action in the Champions League outings, during his second substitute appearance. The Al Hilal club has revealed that Neymar has unfortunately sustained a TEAR in his hamstring and will be placed on a treatment and rehabilitation scheme for the next four to six weeks.
Nonetheless, post-match, the forward shared an update on his Instagram account posting a story with a caption, saying, “I felt like a cramp but very strong! I will do exams and hope it’s nothing more”, he wrote, “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”.
Neymar Injury: When is Neymar coming back?
Neymar’s injury left a big hole in Brazil’s lineup and it was evident in the team’s performance that the team is missing their talisman forward on the field. His recent return came as a big boost for Al Hilal and the Brazilian national team, but his recent fresh hamstring concern indicates that his comeback to club duty is on hold, as of now till further details are revealed about his condition.
Following the recent injury, the forward is set to on the sidelines for the next three to four weeks and his return is could only be possible next year 2025 for the final six months of duration of his Al Hilal contract which is set to expire in the summer, June 2025.
Earlier, Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior had cleared the air around Neymar’s absence from the Brazilian squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, saying he doesn’t want to rush him and wants to give him time to regain his fitness.
In the Press conference during Brazil’s squad announcement for the upcoming International games, “We decided not to bring him so as not to rush things, “Dorival Júnior, said, ”He’s practically fully recovered, but he only had a few minutes, which weighed heavily on the decision.” on his decision to left out the former PSG forward.
Dorival has cleared his stance on Neymar’s situation as he also wants to reinstate the Brazilian superstar as soon as possible. The Brazilian manager accepted, that he wants to be careful with Neymar’s fitness and wants him to regain full match preferably with his club before he calls up him.
Rumours have been that he has gotten offers with Danilo and several other players from Santos FC worth a deal of $1 billion and 300 million combined.
Palmeiras club president rubbish Neymar’s Rumours amid Injury
Neymar Jr has been rumoured to join Brazil giants Palmeiras for a potential move in the summer of 2025 as a free agent, after his contract with Al Hilal expiry. It is nearly confirmed the forward will not get new offers from the Saudi Arabian champions due to concerns over his fitness and the frequency of picking up injuries has worried his Middle Eastern employers.
In the midst, Palmeiras club president, Leila Mejdalani Pereira dismissed the speculations and even took a jib at Brazil’s all-time top scorer injury stating, that her club isn’t a medical department and would want a player who can play immediately.
“Neymar will not join Palmeiras, this club isn’t a medical department,” Leila said, “I want someone who will come to join the team immediately, who can play tomorrow if the manager wishes. I won’t accept us signing a player who’s unfit to play.”
Neymar set to return to his Boyhood club in Brazil
According to Argentine Journalist and media personality, César Luis Merlo, the 32-year-old is edging closer to returning to his Boyhood club Santos and has reached an agreement to terminate his terms with Al Hilal is in process. He claimed that the forward’s signing is prepared to be announced soon as Santos has secured a promotion back Brazilian top division Serie A next season.
The former Barcelona star made his professional debut with the club back in 2009 at 17 and played 225 matches netting an incredible 126 goals and 64 assists helping the club to become the Brazilian champions in the 2009/10 season.
Neymar indeed took a shot at Rodri as the latter stretched the debate by talking about his colleague Vini jr. The Brazilian simply said, “He has become a big mouth now!”
Neymar Jr to take on Ex-teammate Kylian Mbappe at FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The newly introduced 32-club FIFA Club World Cup 2025 extravaganza will kick off next summer, and the draws to decide the fixtures and opponents have also been finalised.
The 15th time European champions Real Madrid were drawn into Group H, which consisted of Al-Hilal, FC Salzburg, and CF Pachuca from Mexico. It means that, for the first time, Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal and La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid will lock horns against each other.
It will also serve as the first meeting between the two former teammates and friends, Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe after leaving Paris Saint Germain. The Brazilian icon has had a forgettable experience in Saudi Arabia due to his long-term injury, meanwhile, the Frenchman is also going through a tough phase in Spain.
Neymar Speaks on his relation with PSG fans
Al Hilal star Neymar spoke on the deteriorated relationship with PSG for the first time since leaving the French Captial in the summer of 2024 to sign for the Saudi Arabian champions.
“I don’t hold any grudges, he said, “but I was a bit sad about how I was treated by the fans, especially when they came to my home, wanting to invade my house, insult me, or beat me up.”
“For me, they crossed the line. Our relationship was no longer respectful, while I always respected them… It was really a complicated situation. I was sad about how I was treated in the end, but that’s in the past,”
Neymar Eyes Inter Miami Move to Reunite with Messi and Suarez
Neymar is reportedly keen on joining Inter Miami, aiming to recreate the iconic trio of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in Major League Soccer.
Also Read: Neymar Biography: Net Worth, Salary, Family, Lifestyle and Career Stats