Brazilian superstar Neymar faced another setback in his second game back from a lengthy injury layoff, raising concerns for fans and his team alike. On Monday, in the AFC Champions League Elite clash, Neymar’s club, Al-Hilal, triumphed 3-0 over Esteghlal of Iran, though the victory was overshadowed by the forward’s exit due to a fresh injury scare.
Neymar entered the match from the bench in the 58th minute, marking another cautious step in his gradual return to competitive play after a year-long recovery from a torn ACL. However, with just three minutes left in regulation time, Neymar appeared to strain his right leg while stretching for a ball in the penalty area. He immediately went down, clutching the back of his leg, a scene that reignited concerns over his fitness and his ability to stay injury-free after an extended period on the sidelines.
Al-Hilal’s Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic starred in the match, scoring a hat trick to lead the Saudi side to victory and secure their top position in the AFC Champions League group standings. Mitrovic’s stellar performance gave Al-Hilal a comfortable cushion, though Neymar’s sudden departure from the field left many spectators anxious about his recovery trajectory.
Al-Hilal had meticulously planned a cautious reintroduction for Neymar, who had been sidelined since suffering a serious cruciate knee ligament injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay last November. The Saudi club had refrained from rushing his return, aiming to minimize risks and gradually build up his strength and match fitness.
In light of his recent injury history, Neymar was notably absent from Brazil’s roster for their upcoming November World Cup qualifiers. Brazil’s national coach Dorival and the football federation made the mutual decision to allow Neymar to fully regain his form before returning to the international stage, emphasizing a patient and strategic approach to his recovery.
The match on Monday was intended as a step forward in Neymar’s long-awaited comeback, yet the latest injury scare has cast a shadow over his immediate future with Al-Hilal and raised questions about the effectiveness of his rehabilitation process. Fans and analysts alike await further updates on his condition, as Al-Hilal closely monitors their prized player’s recovery to ensure he can contribute fully in the critical stages of their Champions League campaign.
