Brazil's Neymar returns to Al Hilal after long injury layoff | Football News

Star footballer returns to training and travels with his Saudi Pro League club ahead of AFC Champions League game.

Brazilian striker Neymar Jr. will return from a year-long injury layoff after training and traveling with his club Al Hilal ahead of their Asian Champions League match in the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Pro League club has confirmed.

“Al Hilal is pleased to announce that Neymar will be joining the squad for the away trip to Al Ain. “He’s back,” the club announced on Saturday.

“Neymar attended team training after completing his recovery program,” Al Hilal posted on his social media.

Previously, Neymar's marketing company NR Sports also confirmed his possible return in the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Champions League elite match on Monday.

“The number 10 will be able to play on Monday to continue his remarkable development,” the statement said, referring to the game.

Welcome back, @neymarjr 💙 pic.twitter.com/UY4TiiNDNo

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) October 19, 2024

Photos posted by Al Hilal showed Neymar taking part in a team training session and joining the Al Hilal squad on their trip to the United Arab Emirates to play against the UAE Pro League club.

The 32-year-old Brazilian forward has not played since being injured during his country's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October last year.

He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and underwent surgery in November.

Neymar moved to Saudi Arabia from French champions Paris Saint-Germain in August for a fee of around 90 million euros ($97.9 million) and had played just five games before his release as he struggled with muscle injuries .

The former Barcelona striker, ​​who is Brazil's top scorer, missed the 2024 Copa America season in the United States, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the second consecutive year after losing on penalties against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup had lost.

On Monday they play against Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Neymar's agency said the Brazilian's love of football and his hope of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup would get him back into action.

“There were days full of pain, fear and great longing for football, which we overcame with the help of family and friends who were always there for our number 10. And to all the fans around the world who have fully supported him on social media networks,” the statement said.

“The wait is over.”

“Every time I get hurt, I come back. But I'm not coming back halfway,” a tearful Neymar said in a social media video in which he talked about his recovery and showed footage of his efforts to come back.

Neymar returned to training in July, but in September his club coach Jorge Jesus dampened expectations of an immediate comeback.

The Portuguese coach did not confirm that Neymar will play on Monday.

Neymar, whose two-year contract ends next August, is eligible to take part in AFC Champions League Elite matches as there are no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed in the continental competition. That's not the case in the Saudi Pro League, where he won't be back until January.

If Neymar is fit, he could return to the Brazilian national team in two rounds of South American World Cup qualifying, scheduled for November.