Neymar’s return from his anterior cruciate ligament injury is not expected until January 2025, according to Al-Hilal’s manager, Jorge Jesus. Neymar joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in a £90 million deal in August 2023. Unfortunately, he played only five matches before injuring his ACL during international duty with Brazil last October.

The 32-year-old missed the rest of the season and Brazil’s unsuccessful Copa America campaign. He was removed from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad in September due to foreign player registration limits. Despite social media posts showing Neymar training, Jesus insists that Brazil’s top scorer will not be considered for selection until mid-season.

Jesus highlighted Neymar’s significance to both Al Hilal and the league as a whole. “Neymar is an important player for Al Hilal and the league in general,” he stated. However, Jesus refrained from giving a specific return date but mentioned that they would reassess in January.

Interestingly, there are no restrictions on foreign players participating in the AFC Champions League. This means Neymar could potentially play in this competition if he regains fitness before January. His presence would be a significant boost for Al-Hilal in their continental campaign.

Al-Hilal had high hopes when they signed Neymar as part of Saudi Pro League’s recruitment efforts. His absence has been felt deeply by both the club and fans alike. The anticipation for his return continues to build as supporters eagerly await updates on his recovery progress.

As Neymar works towards recovery, his journey remains closely watched by football enthusiasts worldwide. The timeline set for his return reflects caution and care to ensure he comes back stronger than ever before.