Despite leaving European football, Neymar remains incredibly popular among football fans. Catapulted into the spotlight during his rise at Santos and following an unforgettable stint at FC Barcelona, he faced more challenges during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
As the world’s most expensive player, with a record-breaking €222 million transfer, Neymar came close to reaching perfection in Paris before facing a series of setbacks, including recurring injuries and the rise of Kylian Mbappé. Eventually, he departed European football, moving to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia last season.
For Neymar, one of the most talented players of the 21st century, this transfer was an opportunity to rediscover his joy for the game and overcome his injury troubles. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. After a promising start with Al-Hilal, he suffered a severe injury in October 2023 during a match against Uruguay, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, forcing him into a lengthy absence.
A new concerning muscle injury
The 32-year-old star’s return was highly anticipated, with fans and pundits eager to see his level of play after such a long layoff. Qualifying only for the Asian Champions League, Neymar was gradually finding his rhythm again. He made his first appearance against Al-Ain and later returned to action against Iranian club Esteghlal. Coming on in the 58th minute, Neymar displayed some of his trademark skills. However, after just 30 minutes, he had to leave the pitch, clutching the back of his thigh and signaling he could not continue. Frustrated, he returned to the bench, removed his shin guards, and threw a water bottle in visible disappointment and anger.
After the match, Neymar returned to the field to congratulate his teammates and greet his opponents. His coach, Jorge Jesus, shed light on the concerning injury: “He’s coming back from a complicated injury and playing in a position that makes him vulnerable to tackles. I believe the injury is muscular and not related to his knee. He should be out for about two weeks.” At Al-Hilal, the hope is that this scare will prove minor, although an official statement is expected to confirm the exact nature of his injury.
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