Sports
Neymar Plays Down Injury Concern in Second Game Back
Neymar has reassured fans after picking up a new injury during his second match back for Al-Hilal, following a year-long recovery. The 32-year-old Brazilian striker was taken off in the 86th minute of Al-Hilal’s 3-0 Asian Champions League Elite victory over Esteghlal on Monday.
Describing the discomfort, Neymar said, “It felt like a cramp, only very strong. I’m going to have some tests and I hope it’s nothing too serious.” He shared this on Instagram, adding, “It’s normal for this to happen after a year. The doctors had already warned me, so I have to be careful and play more minutes.”
The injury scare comes after Neymar spent a year recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023. Since transferring from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal in August 2023, he has featured in only seven matches for the Saudi Arabian club.