In a heartbreaking turn of events, Neymar’s highly anticipated return to the pitch has been marred by yet another injury setback. The Brazilian superstar, who recently joined Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, was forced off the field less than 30 minutes after coming on as a substitute in his team’s 3-0 win against Esteghlal in the Asian Champions League.
Neymar, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to an ACL tear, made his first appearance for Al Hilal on October 21st. However, his second outing was cut short when he went to ground, clutching the back of his right leg in apparent discomfort. The sight of their marquee signing limping off the pitch has left fans and teammates alike holding their breath, hoping that the injury is not as severe as it initially appeared.
A Cautious Comeback
Al Hilal had been carefully managing Neymar’s return to action, with the club and the Brazilian national team both keen to avoid rushing the forward back too soon. The 30-year-old underwent surgery last November after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, just months after joining the Saudi side.
The club had planned a gradual reintegration for their star player, with Neymar unable to be registered for Saudi Pro League games until January. His appearance in the Asian Champions League was seen as a crucial step in his recovery process, allowing him to regain match fitness and sharpness ahead of the second half of the season.
Brazil’s World Cup Hopes Hang in the Balance
The injury also comes as a blow to Brazil’s national team, who are currently fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, four points behind leaders Argentina. Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, was recently left out of the squad for the upcoming November qualifiers, with coach Dorival citing the need to avoid rushing his return.
We don’t want to put any additional pressure on Neymar or his recovery process. He’s been working hard to get back to full fitness, but we need to be patient and give him the time he needs.
– A source close to the Brazilian national team
The extent of Neymar’s latest injury is not yet known, with Al Hilal’s medical team set to assess the damage in the coming days. Fans will be hoping that the setback is only minor and that their talismanic forward will be back on the pitch soon, leading the club’s charge in both domestic and continental competitions.
Mitrovic Shines as Al Hilal March On
Despite the concern over Neymar’s injury, Al Hilal had reason to celebrate as they secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Esteghlal, with Aleksandar Mitrovic netting a hat-trick. The Serbian striker’s clinical finishing ensured that the Saudi side maintained their position at the top of the Asian Champions League group stage table.
As the club awaits news on the severity of Neymar’s injury, they will take comfort in the depth and quality of their squad. With players like Mitrovic in fine form, Al Hilal will be confident of continuing their winning run and challenging for silverware on multiple fronts this season.
For now, though, all eyes will be on Neymar and his road to recovery. The football world will be holding its breath, hoping that this latest setback is only a minor bump in the road and that the Brazilian maestro will soon be back to his mesmerizing best, delighting fans in Saudi Arabia and around the globe.
