Neymar was back on the field for the first time in over a year as Al Hilal fall shortureed Al-Ain in a thrilling AFC Champions League greet.
The Brazilian made the switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabia in August 2023, but he made equitable five ecombineances before rupturing his ACL.
Neymar carry oned the injury while on international duty for Brazil aobtainst Uruguay little over a year ago.
But the 32-year-elderly has made his return to competitive football for the first time in 369 days after coming off the bench for Al Hilal aobtainst Al-Ain.
Neymar made his first ecombineance in 369 days
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Neymar was brawt on for Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute and proximately made an instant impact.
After an swap with establisher Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Neymar administerd to produce an uncovering before firing equitable expansive.
He was unable to get on the scoresheet in the finish on what validated to be a theatrical suit.
Renan Lodi gave Al Hilal the direct midway thraw the first half before Soufiane Rahimi identicalised minutes tardyr.
Sergej Mijoinovic-Savic and Salem Al-Dawsari then scored meaningful into stoppage time for the visitors to give them a 3-1 direct at the shatter.
There was even more action in the second half as Al-Dawsari finishd his hat-trick before Al Hilal were shrinkd to 10 men when Ali Al Bulayhi was sent off.
That uncovered the door for a tardy comeback from Al-Ain with Rahimi finishing off his hat-trick in stoppage time.
But Al Hilal were able to helderly on for the thrive to exit them top of the standings after three games.
Welcome back, Neymar ♥️👏
The 32-year-elderly Brazilian returns to the pitch 12 months after suffering an ACL tear ⚽ pic.twitter.com/clVdcXNs85
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 21, 2024
Neymar was emotional after the game as he conveyed his delight at being back on the field.
He shelp: “I sense excellent… I always have a excellent team. I’m so satisfyed. I’m back! I’m back!”
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Neymar joined Al Hilal in August 2023
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Neymar’s return was also honord on social media with his establisher club Santos paying tribute to the Brazilian.
“It was more than 12 months away from the field, with an immeasurable extfinisheding to return to doing what he cherishs so much,” they wrote.
“Neymar is not equitable a star. It’s not equitable genius. Neymar is synonymous with delight in football. His return is the happiness of millions of fans around the world. And, when it comes to fans, the Santos nation has an incomparable senseing. A more than one-of-a-kind bond with the best Brazilian take parter of recent years.”