Football

Neymar Makes First On-Field Appearance in Over a Year in Asian Champions League

By
Charlie Rhodes
Author photo
Charlie Rhodes Sports Editor

Charlie has years of experience having been published on leading global sports content brands such as 90min.com and FootyAccumulators. He has a wealth of experience tailored towards news, long-form content and betting, but has also garnered experience in several roles in the fintech and crypto sector.

Get to know Charlie Rhodes better
Sports Editor

Published4 hours ago on October 21, 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
Neymar Return

The long-awaited Neymar return to action has finally arrived as the Brazilian made his first appearance in over a year in the Asian Champions League.

Neymar Return Marks First Appearance in Over a Year

Perhaps football really is healing?

Love him or hate him, seeing Neymar return to the field after over a year on the sidelines feels like a nostalgia blanket.

Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer may not be a man at the peak of his powers any more, but at 32 there is surely still plenty left in the tank.

Despite still having the capacity to thrill crowds at former club PSG, Neymar opted for the riches of Public Investment Fund owned Al-Hilal last year in a bombshell £78million transfer.

Undoubtedly Saudi Arabia’s biggest coup to date didn’t quite plan out as they had hoped, with a season-ending ACL injury ruling Neymar out of action for at least 12 months.


That timeframe did indeed materialise – and then some – with a total of 369 days passing since collapsing in a heap on the turf.

Monday evening saw him return to action in high spirits for his much anticipated sixth appearance for the club, featuring for 13 minutes in a chaotic 5-4 victory over Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League.

Although he may have been feeling tentative in the tackle, Neymar showed some of his trademark flair is a dazzling cameo – first nutmegging an opponent before coming close to marking his return with a goal, only to be denied by a fingertip stop from Al-Ain’s keeper.

“I felt a huge pain. In that moment I already knew it was serious,” he said on the NR Sports YouTube channel.

“What I want most in life is to play football. I have suffered every day I’ve been away from the pitch. This is what hurts me the most.

“I am focused on the most important people in my life, my family and friends, and football. I have risen every time I have been injured. But I don’t return halfway.”

Neymar’s contract at Al-Hilal is set to expire in a year’s time, although he has an option to extend it by another 12 months.