Neymar breaks down in tears as he gears up for return to football after over a year out through injury… as Al-Hilal star says he has ‘suffered every day’ he has been sidelined
- Neymar has not played since he tore his cruciate ligament in October 2023
- The 32-year-old has returned to training and is now available for selection
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Neymar wiped away tears as he spoke about the year he has been out of action due to injury as his long-awaited return draws closer.
The Brazilian ended his time in European football last summer after joining the Saudi Pro League for a staggering £78 million.
However, his hopes of making a big impact for his new side were ruined when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty last October.
The Brazilian has finally made a full recovery and returned to first-team training.
And he will join the Al-Hilal squad for their Asian Champions League trip to UAE Pro League club Al-Ain on Monday, his side have confirmed.
Neymar had to wipe away tears as he spoke about the year he was out of action
The Brazilian revealed that he has suffered every day since suffering the serious injury
Looking back on the past twelve months at the NR Sports YouTube channelhe said: ‘I felt enormous pain. At that moment I already knew it was serious.
‘What I want most in life is to play football. I suffered every day I was away from the field. This is what hurts me the most
‘I’m focused on the most important people in my life: my family and friends, and football. Every time I’ve been hurt, I’ve gotten up. But I won’t come back halfway.’
He played five games for Al-Hilal prior to his injury, scoring one goal and three assists.
His contract with Al-Hilal expires next year, although there is an option to extend it for another twelve months.
The winger made a name for himself at Santos after coming through the youth academy as a youngster before breaking into the first team.
He scored 72 goals in 140 appearances and won six major honors with the club, including the Copa Libertadores in 2011.
Neymar has returned to first-team training and is expected to be back on the pitch soon
His brilliant performances earned him a move to Barcelona in 2013, where he won LaLiga twice and the Champions League before becoming the most expensive player in the world when PSG paid £198 million four years later.
Neymar has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and coming back from a lengthy layoff in the latter stages of his career could be a tall order for the Brazilian.
Yet he seems determined to prove he still has something to offer.