Neymar will definitely never remember this year 2024 fondly. At least, on a sporting level. And, in his second game with Al-Hilal after overcoming a serious knee injury that kept him off the field for more than a year, the first sequel appeared in the form of a muscle problem that will have the ’10’ between four and six weeks away.
“Exams revealed that Neymar Jr. suffers a tear in his hamstring. He will follow a treatment protocol that will last four to six weeks,” read the official statement from Al-Hilal.
The injury occurred in the final stretch of the fourth day of the Asian Champions League (the only competition in which he is entered) in which Al-Hilal defeated Esteghlal (3-0) thanks to a hat-trick from Mitrovic. Neymar made an appearance in the match, replacing Al-Hamdan in the 58th minute… and he couldn’t even finish it.
Neymar put his hand on the ischium of his left leg and immediately realized that something was not in place. “I felt like a cramp… but very strong. We will do tests and I hope it’s nothing. It’s normal for this to happen after a year. But I need to be careful and have more playing time,” ‘Ney’ confessed after the crash.
Finally, as Al-Hilal’s statement clearly reflects, the Brazilian suffers a small break that, yes, will keep him in the dry dock for a month… at least. The focus will be on trying to be ready for Joselu and Rodrigo’s Champions League match against Al-Gharafa scheduled for December 3. Otherwise, Neymar will have to wait until 2025 to wear shorts again.
“Medically, his knee is healed. But, later, he will have muscle problems like today because he hasn’t played for a long time. The team’s rhythm is very strong. Perhaps, too strong for a player who, since 2018, has dragged a notable amount of problems,” said his coach Jorge Jesus.
