- Neymar has been out of action since rupturing his ACL back in October 2023
- The 32-year-old has returned to training and is now available for selection
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Neymar had to wipe away the tears as spoke about the year he has spent out of action due to injury as he closes in on his long-awaited return.
The Brazilian called an end to his time in European football last summer after joining the Saudi Pro League in a stunning £78million move.
However, his hopes of making a significant impact for his new side were ruined when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty in October of last year.
The Brazilian has finally made a full recovery and has returned to first team training.
And he will join the Al-Hilal squad for their Asian Champions League trip to UAE Pro League club Al-Ain on Monday, his side have confirmed.
Reflecting on the past 12 months on the NR Sports YouTube channel, he said: ‘I felt a huge pain. In that moment I already knew it was serious.
‘What I want most in life is to play football. I have suffered every day I’ve been away from the pitch. This is what hurts me the most,’
‘I am focused on the most important people in my life, my family and friends, and football. I have risen every time I have been injured. But I don’t return halfway.’
He made five appearances for Al-Hilal prior to his injury, contributing one goal and three assists.
His contract at Al-Hilal is set to expire next year, although there is the option to extend by a further 12 months.
The winger made his name at Santos after coming through their academy as a youngster before breaking into the first team.
He scored 72 goals in 140 appearances and won six major honours with the club, including the Copa Libertadores in 2011.
His dazzling performances earned him a move to Barcelona in 2013, where he won LaLiga twice and the Champions League prior to becoming the most expensive player in the world when PSG paid £198m four years later.
Neymar has been blighted by injuries in recent years, and coming back from a lengthy lay-off in the latter stages of his career could be a tall order for the Brazilian. Yet he appears determined to prove he still has something left to offer.
