Neymar Jr. returned to the pitch after a year out

Football is smiling again after one of its greatest players returned to the pitch. One year and four days after breaking his knee, Neymar Jr. was back in action in the match of the third day of Group B of the AFC Champions League, in which his Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ain (4-5) in a duel full of emotions.

The return of the São Paulo native came in the 76th minute, when the Brazilian came onto the pitch at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium to the detriment of Al Dawsari. The participation of the former FC Barcelona player was practically testimonial, with a single shot that went too far as the only action worth highlighting in his 14 minutes on the pitch, although his return continues to generate expectations.

The Brazilian national team awaits him in November

With his family in the stands and under the watchful eyes of the Brazilian people, the striker put an end to the worst 'ordeal' he has had to go through in his career, which began on October 17, 2023, at the Centenario stadium (Montevideo) in a Uruguay-Brazil (2-0), in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. In that clash, 'Ney' suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which also affected two menisci and kept him out for 369 days.

Now, the footballer has his sights set on wearing the 'Scratch du Oro' shirt again, an event that could take place on the FIFA date in November. In this international break, the Dorival Junior team will face Venezuela on 14-11 and, later, Uruguay on 19-11. With less than a month to go before both matches, it seems unlikely that Neymar will be able to be called up due to his lack of training, although it will be the 'verdeamarela' coach who will have the final say.