Football is smiling. Neymar Jr's return is getting closer. The Brazilian striker is doing everything he can to play again with Al-Hilal after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus on October 17, 2023. The player is expected to play in the first match after the end of the FIFA break this September, but his presence in the game compromises the future of one of his teammates.
Neymar has not had a good time for some years. Since he left FC Barcelona in 2017, he has not been able to find the regularity he needs due to constant injuries, the latter being the hardest. Let us remember that a few weeks ago there was speculation about a possible desire of the Brazilian to return to the Blaugrana team, but the attacker himself denied this possibility, because he wants to continue contributing goals and assists to the Saudi club, which he joined in 2023.
Al-Hilal changes Lodi for Neymar
The return of Al-Hilal's biggest star will have consequences for the club's squad. According to information from the Saudi media, 'Al Riyadiah', the Arab team will have to get rid of Renan Lodi to register the Brazilian. All this because the Saudi Pro League has a rule that limits the number of foreigners in each team in the league.
According to the rules, each club is only allowed to register eight foreign players in the squad. The quota is already full with Ruben Neves, Bono, Joao Cancelo, Koulibaly, Milinkovic Savic, Malcom, Mitrovic and Renan Londi. Although this year two U-23 players of foreign origin can be registered, neither of these players are that age, so Lodi would be the one at a disadvantage when it comes to registering Neymar.
Lodi is a former Atlético de Madrid player who was born in Sao Paulo and arrived at the Metropolitano in the summer of 2019 for 21.7 million euros. Since then he has not managed to be decisive in any team after his steps through Nottingham Forest and Olympique de Marseille and now he again sees his future uncertain because of his teammate. Without a doubt, it is a shame but it is understandable, because Neymar is the most expensive player in the history of football and his mere presence on the field is enough to turn all the eyes of the world to Saudi Arabia.