Brazilian star Neymar made a long-awaited return to the pitch in Al-Hilal’s dramatic 5-4 victory over UAE’s Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League on Monday.
The 32-year-old entered the match in the 77th minute, replacing the injured Nasser Al-Dawsari with his team leading 5-3.
The game, held at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, had already been action-packed, with Al-Hilal leading thanks to a hat-trick from Salem Al-Dawsari and goals by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Renan Lodi. Neymar nearly marked his return with a goal, narrowly missing after a swift counter-attack late in the game.
In stoppage time, Al-Ain’s Soufiane Rahimi completed his hat-trick with a penalty, narrowing the score to 5-4 and creating a tense final stretch for Al-Hilal. Al-Ain pushed hard for an equalizer during the extended injury time, but Al-Hilal held firm to secure their top spot in the west Asian group standings after three rounds.
Despite the high-pressure ending, Al-Hilal emerged victorious, cementing their dominance not only in the Asian Champions League but also in their domestic competition. The reigning Saudi Pro League champions currently lead the league with 21 points.
Neymar’s return to action was highly anticipated, as the Brazilian forward had been sidelined for nearly a year due to a serious knee injury. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023. After undergoing surgery in November, he had been on a lengthy recovery path, with Monday’s match marking his first appearance since then.
“I feel good, it’s so hard. I always have a good team. But I’m so happy. I’m back,” Neymar said emotionally after the game. His return offers a major boost to Al-Hilal, who had signed him from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €90 million ($97.8 million) transfer fee in August 2023.
Neymar had played just five games for the Saudi club before his injury, as he struggled with various muscle issues following his high-profile move from PSG. His return is expected to strengthen Al-Hilal’s quest for silverware, both domestically and in continental competitions.
The victory over Al-Ain serves as an important moment for Al-Hilal, who are chasing another Champions League title while holding the top spot in their domestic league.
