Brazil superstar Neymar is delighted to be back in action again after his 12-month injury layoff.
Neymar made his first appearance in over a year after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in Al Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.
The former Barcelona star replaced Nasser Al Dawsari 13 minutes from time.
The forward nearly made an instant impact firing his shot just wide of the left-hand post after exchanging passes with Aleksandr Mitrovic.
“I feel good… I always have a good team. I’m so happy. I’m back! I’m back,” Neymar said on the pitch after the full-time whistle.
His former club Santos congratulated him on his return in a post on X.
“It was more than 12 months away from the field, with an immeasurable longing to return to doing what he loves so much,” the Brazilian club wrote.
“Neymar is not just a star. It’s not just genius. Neymar is synonymous with joy in football. His return is the happiness of millions of fans around the world. And, when it comes to fans, the Santos nation has an incomparable feeling. A more than special bond with the best Brazilian player of recent years.”
He Al Hilal in August 2023 from PSG in a €90 million transfer, but played just five games before suffering the injury