Neymar Sidelined for Two Weeks with Fresh Injury

Brazil international striker Neymar will be out of action for at least two weeks after picking up a fresh injury during Monday’s AFC Champions League clash with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.

Neymar, 32, came on as a 58th-minute substitute in the 3-0 win over Iran’s Esteghlal in the AFC Elite Champions League, but was forced off with an injury three minutes from time. Mohamed Al-Qahtani took his place.

Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed the news in a press conference after the match, stating, “He has a muscle problem at the moment, I don’t know if he will be back in training for at least two weeks.”

Neymar took to Instagram to comment on his injury, saying, “I felt a muscle spasm, but it’s very strong. I’ll get checked and I hope it’s not serious.” He added, “It’s normal for this thing to happen after a year (of absence). The doctors have warned me, so I have to be more careful and play more minutes.”

Neymar returned to the game last October 21 after a year’s absence, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute in the match against Al Ain, the UAE champions.

Coach Jesus noted, “Neymar’s case is not easy. It confirms what I was thinking when I decided not to register him in the league, because I knew things would not be easy for him.” Jesus added, “In the medical stage, his knee has recovered, but later he will suffer from the problems he faced today, muscle problems because he has not played for a long time and the rhythm of the team is very high.”

Neymar’s absence from the Brazil national team squad for matches against Venezuela and Uruguay on November 14 and 19 was due to coach Dorival Jr.’s decision “not to rush to call him up.” Neymar last wore his country’s colors on October 17, 2023, when he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in his left knee.

Neymar, the top scorer in the history of the Brazilian national team with 79 goals in 128 international matches, and the world’s most expensive player, will be closely monitored as he works to regain his fitness and return to the pitch.