Neymar was also left off Brazil’s latest squad for a pair of November World Cup qualifiers, with coach Dorival saying the team and federation didn’t want to rush his return to the national team. (Reuters)
Neymar’s second game since returning from a 12-month absence gave his fans another scare. The Brazilian superstar picked up another injury on Monday as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite.
He had only recently recovered from a torn ACL and came off the bench in Riyadh after 58 minutes. However, he had to come off with three minutes remaining, having seemed to pull up after stretching his leg out for the ball in the penalty area.
He went to the ground and grabbed the back of his right leg having seemed to pull up while stretching his leg out for the ball in the penalty area.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat trick to lead Al Hilal to the win and put them at the top of the league phase table of the Asian Champions League
Al Hilal had planned a slow return for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during Brazil’s qualifier against Uruguay shortly after joining the Saudi side and underwent surgery last November.
Neymar was also left off Brazil’s latest squad for a pair of November World Cup qualifiers, with coach Dorival saying the team and federation didn’t want to rush his return to the national team.
Brazil are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, four points adrift of leaders Argentina after 10 games.
