Coach says Neymar not ready for imminent return to Al-Hilal

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Neymar is not ready to return to action for Al-Hilal anytime soon, the Saudi club’s head coach said.

The Brazilian star signed for the Riyadh side in August 2023 but played just five games when he underwent surgery after rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while on international duty in October.

After Neymar, 32, returned to training in July, speculation grew that he was close to a return, but coach Jorge Jesus dampened expectations in a post-match press conference.

“Neymar is an important player for Al-Hilal and for La Liga in general,” Jesus, who led Al-Hilal to a 19th league title in May, said on Tuesday. “I cannot specify the date of his return, but we will review the situation in January.”

Neymar could be signed by Al-Hilal in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) season.

With SPL teams allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21, Neymar’s place in the squad for the first half of the league campaign has been taken by Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica earlier in September.

Once fit, Neymar, whose two-year contract ends next August, will however be eligible to take part in Al-Hilal’s ongoing AFC Champions League Elite campaign as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed.