- Video shows Neymar back on an Al-Hilal training field after his cruciate ligament injury
- In a still from the images, concerns have been expressed about the Brazilian’s condition
- Watching exercise while injured in the gym is like watching your wife walking down the street with another guy – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Neymar made his first training pitch appearance since his cruciate ligament injury but left fans concerned as he did not appear to be in the best physical condition – thanks to an unflattering angle from the Brazilian.
The Al-Hilal star has been out of action since October after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during his international match against Uruguay.
Earlier this week, photos emerged showing the 32-year-old back in the gym and on the road to recovery, and a video was posted showing him taking his first steps back on the training pitch.
However, a still from that video has fans abuzz as the angle of the photo appears to show the striker out of form after months on the sidelines.
Fans quickly took to social media to question and mock the striker, with one suggesting that ‘Neymar doesn’t look fit’, and another saying ‘Retirement is calling’.
Video of Neymar returning to training has raised eyebrows due to his fitness and weight
The Brazilian was seen back in the Al-Hilal gym as he prepared to return from injury
Neymar received his ACL while on international duty for Brazil against Uruguay in October
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Others online compared Neymar’s form to that of compatriot Ronaldo, who was criticized for his weight during his playing days, calling him ‘RONALDO 2.0’.
While there were also claims that ‘Neymar doesn’t care about competitive football anymore, lol’ and another who slammed his decision to move to Saudi Arabia saying;’ Neymar’s departure from Barcelona has to be the worst decision a player has ever made in the history of football. Since then it has been on a downward path. Now he has added extra weight. Very sad!’
Yet some on social media have defended Neymar, claiming the image is just an unfortunate angle and to cut the striker some slack.
“It’s not real, Neymar hasn’t arrived.” One post said it, while others backed it up with the caption ‘fake’ and used the footage of him in the gym as evidence to suggest there was nothing wrong with his fitness.
Fans took to social media to question Neymar’s fitness following his return to training
Neymar moved to the Saudi Pro League club in August last year after six seasons at Paris Saint-Germain in a £78million contract.
The two-year contract is said to be worth around £130 million, making him one of the most expensive signings in the Saudi League.
He made his debut as a substitute in the 6–1 thrashing of Al-Riyadh in September, coming off the bench to assist one of the goals, before scoring his first goal for the club in the AFC Champions victory Cup on FC Nassaji Mazandaran. .
Due to the injury he suffered while playing for Brazil, Neymar has only played a total of five games since the summer transfer.
Al-Hilal were forced to release the Brazilian as a result of the season-ending injury so that he could free up one of their eight foreign squad spots for the arrival of Renan Lodi in January.
Some fans were quick to undermine the issue by showing Neymar in the Al-Hilal gym
Since joining the club, Neymar has made just five appearances for Al-Hilal and scored just once
The club will be able to re-sign Neymar at the end of the season when he is likely to return from injury, but he will have to reassess his role in the team.
They already have a number of high-profile foreign names on their books, including Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic, so Neymar must prove he has a place in the squad for next season.
His current contract with the club expires in June 2025, with the option to extend for another year, but has already been linked with a return to former club Santos when his experience in the Middle East is complete.