Neymar axed! Al-Hilal coach ‘campaigning’ for Brazil star to be frozen out

Robin Bairner

6 Sept 2024 12:00 BST
3 min read

Neymar attends a Copa America 2024 match in the US — © IMAGO

Al-Hilal attacker Neymar has suffered a fresh setback nearly a year after first suffering a serious knee injury.

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Neymar joined the Saudi Pro League club in a blockbuster deal from PSG in the summer of 2024 when he moved for €90 million. It was a deal that was supposed to see him up there with Cristiano Ronaldo as a leader of the emerging competition, yet the 32-year-old suffered recurrent muscle problems early in his time with Al-Hilal.

Worse was to follow in October, when after playing just five games for his new side, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Brazil.

This injury can take eight to 10 months to heal, yet there is still no sign of Neymar returning to the field. According to Portuguese paper Record, his return is not programmed until 2025, with head coach Jorge Jesus wanting to be particularly careful with the 32-year-old superstar.

Coach wants to drop Neymar

Al-Hilal have played themselves into a difficult position with the transfers they have made this summer.

Able to only register eight foreign players, they have nine on their books, including Neymar. A late move was made for Renan Lodi, and it is between him and the Brazilian to take up that last slot, with Al-Hilal having until 9 September to submit their final list for the Saudi Pro League campaign.

Neymar is liable to be the player overlooked in this circumstance as his recovery from injury is going slower than anticipated.

Indeed, Jorge Jesus does not believe Neymar will be ready to return to collective training until November. As such, he could only play in two or three league matches before the winter break begins in December.

The Portuguese coach, therefore, wants to drop Neymar from the squad and temporarily sideline the star even when he is technically fit. Al-Hilal, the report stresses, may not accept this decision.