Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr has finally made his much-anticipated return to professional football after being sidelined for a year due to injury. The superstar forward marked his comeback in Al Hilal’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Al Ain in the Asian Champions League group stage on Monday.
High-Scoring Affair
The match, held at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Al Hilal taking control early on. A stellar performance from Salem Al-Dawsari, who netted a hat-trick, alongside goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Renan Lodi, gave the Saudi club a commanding 5-3 lead by the 77th minute.
It was at this point that Neymar entered the pitch, replacing the injured Nasser Al-Dawsari. This marked Neymar’s first official appearance since he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in November 2022.
Flashes of Neymar Jr magic
Though he had been away from the field for an extended period, Neymar didn’t take long to remind fans of his brilliance. He displayed glimpses of his signature flair and nearly scored with a late-game effort, only to be thwarted after a rapid counter-attack.
However, Al Ain, spurred by Soufiane Rahimi’s own hat-trick, made a spirited comeback, converting a penalty in stoppage time to close the gap to a single goal. Al Hilal, under pressure, managed to hold firm in the tense final moments to seal the 5-4 victory, maintaining their dominance in both domestic and continental football.
Neymar Jr emotional return
After the final whistle, Neymar Jr was visibly emotional, reflecting on the long road to recovery. “I feel good, it’s so hard. I always have a good team. But I’m so happy. I’m back,” the Brazilian forward said, expressing his relief and excitement about returning to the field.
Neymar’s return is a massive boost for Al Hilal, who had signed him from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2022 for a reported €90 million. Unfortunately, his time with the Saudi club had been limited to just five appearances before the injury derailed his debut season.
What’s next?
Now fully fit, Neymar’s presence will greatly enhance Al Hilal’s attacking capabilities as they continue their pursuit of success both in the Saudi Pro League, where they currently lead with 21 points, and in the Asian Champions League.
With Neymar back in action, Al Hilal’s quest for silverware has received a significant shot in the arm. Fans and teammates alike will be eagerly watching to see how the Brazilian superstar reintegrates and inspires the team as they chase domestic and continental glory.
