Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus wants to delay Neymar’s return from injury until January so he can register all his foreign players in the squad.
Neymar’s anterior cruciate ligament injury has meant that very few Saudi Pro League fans have been able to see him play since the Brazilian joined Al-Hilal just over a year ago.
Now the 32-year-old could be sidelined until January with head coach Jorge Jesus keen to register all his foreign players, which he may do, according to Record, if he does not include the Brazilian.
Neymar still sidelined
The SPL allows each team to have eight places for foreign players, but Al-Hilal have nine, including the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star. But with Neymar not expected to return to training until November, he will likely only be able to play two or three games before the winter break in Saudi Arabia. As a result, Jesus would prefer to register summer signing Renan Lodi instead, and revisit the issue in January when his star striker is fully fit again.
Neymar has missed more than 50 games for Al-Hilal since signing a huge contract with the club. The 128-cap Brazil international made just three SPL appearances in 2023-24 before suffering a catastrophic knee injury.
IN BRIEF
- Neymar’s anterior cruciate ligament injury has limited his appearances since joining Al-Hilal just over a year ago.
- Coach Jorge Jesus is considering not registering Neymar to make room for Renan Lodi, as Neymar will not be ready until January.
- Find out how Neymar’s injury impacts Al-Hilal’s strategic choices and the team’s future.
