Neymar makes Al Hilal return after a 12-month injury layoff

Neymar made his first appearance in over a year after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He came on as a substitute in the second half of Al Hilal's AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.

The Brazilian star replaced Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, shortly after Salem Al Dawsari gave Al Hilal a 5-3 lead. The former Paris Saint-Germain player almost made an immediate impact as he exchanged passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create space before firing his shot just wide of the left post.

The game ended 5-4 for Al Hilal after UAE-based team Al Ain scored a last-minute penalty to reduce the score.

Neymar suffered the injury shortly after joining the Saudi Pro League (SPL) side on international duty last October.

He moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal for 90 million euros in August 2023, but only played five games before getting injured.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, missed the 2024 Copa América, which Argentina won.

He is eligible to play in the AFC Champions League as there are no restrictions on the number of foreign players. However, he will not be able to register for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season until January.

For SPL teams, the number of foreign players that can be registered is limited.

Eight foreign players born before 2003 can be included in the squad, while the regulations allow the inclusion of two foreign players born in 2003 or later. Neymar's contract with Al Hilal expires in June 2025.

Saudi champions Al Hilal, coached by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, top the domestic table after winning all seven games.

The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), meanwhile, hopes to have Neymar available in time for November's World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Brazil is in fourth place in its World Cup qualifying group, four points behind leaders Argentina after ten games.