In just his second game of the season with Al-Hilal, Neymar had to exit the field once again due to injury. At 32, the Brazilian star’s career continues to be plagued by physical setbacks, drawing comparisons to players like Abu Diaby and Yoann Gourcuff, who were also known for persistent injuries throughout their careers.
Since moving to Europe, Neymar has faced 37 documented injuries, as tracked by Transfermarkt. His transition to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023 has done little to change this unfortunate pattern. After spending over a year recovering from a severe knee injury, Neymar made his comeback on October 21 in an Asian Champions League game against Al-Ain.
In that match, he nearly found the net, though he hasn’t been registered for the Saudi Pro League yet. During Al-Hilal’s recent 3-0 victory over Esteghlal in the Asian Champions League, Neymar’s night was cut short in the 87th minute due to a fresh injury, leaving him visibly frustrated.
**Neymar Responds to the Setback**
After the game, Al-Hilal’s coach Jorge Jesus offered some insight, explaining, “Neymar is coming off a tough injury and plays in a position that leaves him exposed to tackles. This time, it seems to be a muscle injury, not related to his knee. He’ll likely need at least two weeks to recover.” He continued, “I didn’t register him in the league because I expected something like this might happen. This is no ordinary injury.”
Neymar’s challenges with fitness persist, raising questions about his ability to stay consistently active on the field. Fans await updates on his condition, hoping to see him return in full form.