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The former Barcelona and PSG star is looking to return to the pitch for the first time in more than a year
Brazilian football icon Neymar recently opened up about his emotional and physical struggle after spending over a year sidelined due to a knee serious injury.
The Al Hilal star is set to make his much-anticipated return to the pitch for the first time since October 2023 and shared his heartfelt journey, reflecting on the toll it took on him and his determination to bounce back stronger than ever.
Neymar’s painful year on the sidelines
Neymar has been out of action since rupturing his ACL in October 2023 while on international duty with Brazil.
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The injury came just months after his blockbuster £78 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, marking an unexpected and frustrating setback.
During a recent interview on the NR Sports YouTube channel, the 31-year-old forward broke down in tears as he recalled the pain and emotional toll of his injury.
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“I felt a huge pain. In that moment, I already knew it was serious,” Neymar shared, adding, “What I want most in life is to play football. I have suffered every day I’ve been away from the pitch. This is what hurts me the most.”
Despite the hardships, Neymar remained focused on his recovery, crediting his family, friends, and love for football as key motivators throughout the process. “I have risen every time I have been injured, but I don’t return halfway,” he said.
Neymar set for Al-Hilal return
Neymar’s injury limited him to just five appearances for Al-Hilal, where he contributed one goal and three assists before his unfortunate layoff.
Now, with his full recovery complete, the Brazilian star has returned to first-team training and is set to rejoin Al-Hilal for their Asian Champions League match against UAE Pro League side Al-Ain.
As his contract with Al-Hilal runs until next year, with the option to extend for another 12 months, Neymar is eager to make up for lost time and prove that he still has much to offer the Saudi Pro League side.
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His illustrious career, which has seen him win major honours at Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain, has been marred by injuries in recent years, yet Neymar remains determined to show the world that his glory days are not all behind him.
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