Neymar makes Al Hilal return after 12-month injury

Mohamed Magdy  

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Neymar makes Al Hilal return after 12-month injury

Neymar has made his first appearance in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench in the second half of Al Hilal's AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.

The Brazil star replaced Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, just after Salem Al Dawsari had scored to put Al Hilal 5-3 ahead. The former Paris Saint-Germain player nearly made an instant impact, exchanging passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create space before firing his shot just wide of the left-hand post.

The game finished 5-4 to Al Hilal after the United Arab Emirates-based Al Ain scored a last-gasp penalty to narrow the scoreline.

On the pitch after the full-time whistle, Neymar said: "I feel good... I always have a good team. I'm so happy. I'm back! I'm back!

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

He had joined the Al Hilal in August 2023 from PSG in a €90 million transfer, but played just five games before suffering the injury.

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