Al-Hilal has made the decision to remove Brazilian football sensation Neymar from their squad for the remainder of the season. Neymar, who joined the Saudi Pro League last summer following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, was Al-Hilal’s high-profile acquisition with a transfer fee of £78 million.
Despite the initial anticipation surrounding his arrival, Neymar’s stint with the club has been cut short due to a severe knee injury sustained while on international duty with Brazil. This unfortunate incident occurred after the talented player had made only five appearances for Al-Hilal. Regrettably, the injury is anticipated to sideline him for the rest of the season, casting a shadow of uncertainty over Neymar’s immediate future with the Saudi Arabian team.
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Al-Hilal Excludes Neymar to Secure Spot for Renan Lodi Amidst Tight Overseas Player Quota
Following the recent acquisition of Brazilian full-back Renan Lodi, Al-Hilal faced a pivotal decision as they found themselves with no available space in their squad to accommodate another overseas player.
As reported by Spanish outlet Sport, the club has chosen to exclude Neymar from the squad for the remainder of the season to make room for Renan Lodi’s registration. This move allows Al-Hilal to comply with squad limitations while reinforcing their lineup with the new signing.
There’s an option for the club to re-register Neymar at the conclusion of the season, coinciding with his expected return from injury. However, this decision raises questions about Neymar’s future with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, introducing an element of uncertainty.
Al-Hilal already boasts a roster of high-profile overseas players, including Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Al-Hilal must take an upcoming call on Neymar’s inclusion in the squad for the 2024-25.
In recent seasons, the 31-year-old Neymar has grappled with persistent fitness challenges, leading to his absence for the last three-and-a-half months of the previous term due to ankle surgery.
Despite Neymar’s Al-Hilal contract being scheduled to continue until June 2025, with a provision for a one-year extension, there is growing speculation that the player and the club might opt for a mutual separation. This speculation arises in the aftermath of a challenging debut season for the forward in the Middle East.
Dorival Junior Acknowledges Brazil’s Need to Adapt as National Team Prepares for Copa America Without Neymar
New Brazil coach Dorival Junior has expressed admiration for Neymar, considering him among the world’s top three players. Despite recognizing Neymar’s talent, Dorival acknowledges the national team’s need to adapt and perform well without their injured star.
Dorival, who previously faced a managerial setback at Santos in 2010 after benching Neymar, has taken charge of the five-time world champions following the dismissal of interim coach Fernando Diniz. Brazil currently stands sixth in the South American World Cup qualifiers, with two wins and three losses in six games, with Dorival’s initial challenge being the upcoming Copa America this summer.
“Brazil has to learn to move forward without Neymar because he is injured,” Dorival stated. He emphasized Neymar’s significance as one of the world’s top three players but stressed the importance of the team’s ability to function effectively even in his absence.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during international duty in October. Following surgery, he is expected to be sidelined until August.
Dorival highlighted Neymar’s importance, stating, “Neymar is a very important player, as long as he is recovered, fit, and fully focused.” Regarding their past conflicts at Santos, Dorival clarified that he harbors no issues with Neymar, attributing the situation to the dynamics of football and expressing positive interactions whenever they’ve crossed paths.
In addressing their history, Dorival said, “Every time we have met, it was a positive situation. In general, football is very dynamic. Heaven and hell are just a stone’s throw away.”
