Brazil superstar Neymar set for long-awaited Al Hilal return

It’s a sight fans of the Roshn Saudi League, and football in general, will be delighted to see.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, is poised to make his long-awaited comeback for Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal. The superstar forward, one of the most recognisable players in the game, is fit to return to the team following a year on the sidelines because of injury.

Neymar has been included in Al Hilal’s AFC Champions Elite squad for the group match with current Asian champions Al Ain on Monday night, which takes place in the UAE’s Garden City. On Saturday, Al Hilal released a video to confirm Neymar’s availability for the game, with the Brazil international declaring “I’m ready”.

“I know you’re anxious,” he continued. “I am too. And on October 21st, I’m back.”

On Sunday, in the pre-match press conference to look ahead to the Al Ain clash, Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus said: “Including Neymar in Al Hilal’s squad for the Al Ain match is certainly not a manoeuvre [to affect Al Ain's game-plan], but rather in order to bring him into the atmosphere of the matches, if the opportunity arises for him. He will participate.”

Jesus added: “Neymar is currently in the process of recovering his physical aspect, and step by step he will return while mentally coming up to speed. Do not put pressure or rush on his return.”

The 32-year-old, whose momentous signing for Al Hilal in August last year represented another landmark moment for football in the Kingdom, has not been registered in the 2024-25 RSL leaders’ league squad through until January, but the hope is he can use the AFC Champions Elite to regain his sharpness.

Last season, Neymar made five appearances for Al Hilal - he provided a star cameo on debut in the 6-1 RSL win against Al Riyadh - before he ruptured his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty in October last year. He has since undergone surgery and a sustained period of rehabilitation, returning to training in July.

To be fair, Al Hilal have coped brilliantly without Neymar, with the capital club unbeaten in 43 RSL matches stretching back to the end of the 2022-23 season. Last term, they won the top-flight title by a record 14 points, while thus far this campaign they sit top of the standings after Matchweek 7, boasting a 100 percent record.