Neymar has flown in to join his team-mates at Al-Hilal as they prepare to take on rivals Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup final.
♦ Neymar pictured alongside team-mates
♦ Brazilian star recovering from ACL injury
♦ Al-Hilal seeking Saudi Super Cup triumph
WHAT HAPPENED?
The 32-year-old was pictured watching his side train ahead of Thursday’s showdown as he continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in his left knee he sustained while playing for Brazil in October 2023.
Neymar appeared in good spirits alongside club president Fahad Nafil Al-Otaibi on the sidelines and could be seen snapping selfies on the pitch while his team-mates got to work behind him.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Brazilian was a marquee signing for Al-Hilal but has only made five appearances for the Saudi Pro League leaders since securing a €90 million move last summer. His brilliance on the pitch has been missed, but the 18-time champions have not been beaten since losing the Arab Club Champions Cup final to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in August.
WHAT AL-HILAL SAID
Al-Hilal took to Instagram to document the return of the former Paris-Saint-Germain and Barcelona star with a series of images and the message: “The Brazilian magician @neymarjr in our training session in Abu Dhabi 🤩 #AlHilal 💙”
DID YOU KNOW?
Al-Hilal are vying for their fourth Saudi Super Cup triumph after previously winning the competition in 2015, 2018 and most recently in 2021. They remain the most successful club in Saudi Arabia having won 60 domestic trophies.
WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?
The iconic forward has no set return date but is hoping to accelerate his recovery ahead of Brazil’s participation in the upcoming Copa America in the USA. The tournament will get underway on June 21, meaning it is unlikely that Neymar will turn out for his club again before the end of the domestic campaign.