Neymar returns for Al Hilal after year long injury

Brazilian superstar Neymar made his long-awaited return to action on Monday after more than a year out, appearing as a second-half substitute in Al Hilal’s thrilling 5-4 win against Asian champions Al Ain in the UAE.

The 32-year-old forward, who had been sidelined since October last year due to a meniscus and ACL injury, came on in the 76th minute of the Asian Champions Elite match at a packed Hazzan Bin Zayed Stadium.

Before Neymar’s introduction, Al Hilal had already secured a 5-3 lead through goals from Renan Lodi, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and a hat-trick from Salem Al Dawsari.

Despite his return, Neymar is not eligible to play in the Saudi Pro League until January. The match saw plenty of drama, with both teams putting on an impressive display.

Al Hilal opened the scoring in the 26th minute through Lodi, but Al Ain equalized six minutes before halftime thanks to Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi.

However, Hilal quickly regained control before the break, with Milinkovic-Savic and Al Dawsari adding to their lead.

Al Ain reduced the deficit just after the hour, through substitute Mateo Sanabria, only for Al Dawsari to flick home his second of the night from a Milinkovic-Savic centre.

Minutes later, Rahimi notched his double as a see-saw clash took another swing. Al Dawsari then restored Hilal’s two-goal advantage with a sublime strike from range.

Not long into 12 minutes of the allotted injury-time, and with Hilal reduced to 10 men after defender Ali Al Bulaihi was sent off for an intentional handball, Rahimi won and converted a penalty to secure his hat-trick and give Al Ain hope, but the Saudi champions hung on to claim the win.

Neymar had little time to truly impact the game, although he did flash wide an effort in the dying moments of normal time.

Hilal sit top of the Western region group, with three victories from three while Al Ain have picked up a solitary point.