Sep 25, 2024, 07:21 ET
Neymar is not yet in a position to return to Al Hilal after almost 12 months out of action due to a knee injury. The information was released by Jorge Jesús, club coach.
Neymar injured his knee last October and still does not have a return date at Al Hilal. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
The Brazilian star joined the Saudi Pro League (SPL) team in August 2023, but He played only five games before tearing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October.while he was with his team.
Neymar, 32 years old, He underwent surgery and then returned to training in July. Since then, speculation has increased that he is close to returning, but Coach Jesús reduced expectations in a press conference.
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“Neymar is an important player for Al Hilal and the league in general,” Jesús, who led Al Hilal to its 19th league title in May, said on Tuesday. “However, I cannot specify a date as to when he will return, but we will analyze the situation in January.”
Neymar can be registered by Al Hilal in January for the second half of the SPL season.
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As SPL teams can register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21, Neymar’s place in the squad for the first half of the league campaign was taken by Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica in early September.
However, upon his return to fitness, Neymar is eligible to take part in Al Hilal’s current AFC Elite Champions League campaign as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed.
His contract with the club will expire in August 2025.
