Neymar Makes Triumphant Return in Al Hilal’s Thrilling Victory Over Al Ain
Brazilian superstar Neymar made his eagerly anticipated return to football on Monday after a year-long injury hiatus. The 32-year-old forward, now playing for Al Hilal, came off the bench in the second half of a riveting match against Asian champions Al Ain, ultimately culminating in a nail-biting 5-4 victory for the Saudi side in the UAE.
Neymar’s journey back to the pitch followed a severe knee injury that sidelined him since October last year. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star sustained a rupture of his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty. Undergoing surgical intervention and an extensive rehabilitation process, Neymar has resumed his place as one of Brazil’s elite athletes, holding the all-time leading goalscorer record for his country with 79 goals in 128 matches.
In a match at the bustling Hazzan Bin Zayed Stadium, Neymar was named on the bench for the first time since his setback. He entered the game in the 76th minute, joining a team that led 5-3 at that point, aided by a hat-trick from Salem Al Dawsari and goals from Renan Lodi and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Although he didn’t manage to make a significant impact during his limited time on the field, Neymar’s mere presence electrified the atmosphere.
Post-match, Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus emphasized the importance of gradually reintegrating Neymar into the team’s playing dynamic, acknowledging that game time is crucial for his return to peak performance. “I need to prepare Neymar with games; that’s the only possible means to bring him to his level, which was the idea today,” Jesus stated.
The match itself was a rollercoaster, with early excitement as Al Hilal took the lead at the 26-minute mark through Lodi, following an assist from Aleksandar Mitrovic. However, Al Ain equalized just before halftime, with Soufiane Rahimi – last season’s Asian Champions League top scorer – tapping in a well-placed cross.
Before halftime, Al Hilal regained control, with Milinkovic-Savic scoring from a Joao Cancelo cross, followed quickly by another goal from Al Dawsari. Al Ain responded after the break, reducing the margin to one goal through Mateo Sanabria, only for Al Dawsari to extend the lead once more, showcasing his prowess on the field.
The game took another twist late in the second half, as Al Ain’s Rahimi scored again, bringing the score to 5-4. With Al Hilal reduced to ten players after Ali Al Bulaihi’s red card for an intentional handball, the tension escalated when Rahimi won and converted a penalty in injury time to complete his hat-trick. Despite the frantic finale, Al Hilal held on for a hard-earned victory.
With this win, Al Hilal sits atop its group in the Western region, boasting a perfect record from three matches. Although Neymar’s registration for the Saudi Pro League will not be effective until January, his return signifies a hopeful resurgence for both the player and the club. Football fans eagerly await to see how he will impact Al Hilal’s season in the months to come.
