Neymar, who returned to action two weeks ago after more than a year’s absence due to a serious injury, was forced off the pitch during his Saudi club Al-Hilal’s 3-0 Asian Champions League victory over Iranian side Esteghlal, appearing to be suffering from a right thigh injury.
The 32-year-old Brazilian came on in the 58th minute at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, with Al-Hilal already leading 2-0 thanks to Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored a hat-trick. But then..,Brazil’s all-time top scorer appeared to be suffering from a thigh problem and, a few minutes after receiving treatment on the sidelines, he was substituted in the 86th minute. He left the pitch holding his right hamstring.
The Brazilian star had injured his cruciate ligament and meniscus on October 17, 2023 with Brazil in a World Cup-2026 qualifier against Uruguay. He played in official competition for the first time on October 21, coming on in the 77th minute against Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the Asian Champions League.
Prior to his injury, Neymar had played just five matches for the Saudi club he joined in August 2023 from Paris SG for some €100 million a season, according to media reports.