NEYMAR limped off with a new injury less than 30 minutes into his return from a horror ACL setback. The ace was forced to go under the knife a year ago after busting his knee while playing for new club Al-Hilal. Neymar missed the entirety of the campaign as his side stormed to the Saudi Pro League title.
And two weeks ago the Brazil star made his tentative first steps on the pitch as a late sub against Al-Ain. But last night saw Neymar come off the bench against Esteghal just before the hour mark for a proper reintroduction to football. Al-Hilal won their Asian Champions League match 3-0 thanks to an Aleksandr Mitrovic hat-trick.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, Neymar was unable to see out the end of the match. After being on the pitch for just 28 minutes, Neymar pulled up after stretching his leg to receive a pass. He looked to be in agony as he fell to the floor in a heap.
And the Brazilian ended up limping off the pitch while clutching his hamstring in another fresh injury blow. Most read in Football FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS Neymar showed his frustration on the sideline too as he threw his shinpads while looking despondent. Neymar’s played just seven times for Al-Hilal following a £75million move from Paris Saint-Germain a year ago, scoring once in the process.
He is reportedly being paid £125m a year by the Saudi side — six times his salary at PSG. But after the game, Neymar took to social media to assure fans he will be back soon by claiming his potential leg injury was hopefully just a cramp. He said: “I felt like a cramp but very strong! I will do exams and hope it’s nothing more.
“It’s normal for this to happen after one year, the doctors already warned me. “This is why I need to be careful and have more minutes to play.”.
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