Al-Hilal's Neymar Expected to Miss Two Weeks with Injury

Brazil's Neymar waves to fans during a training session in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP)
Brazil's Neymar waves to fans during a training session in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP)
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Al-Hilal's Neymar Expected to Miss Two Weeks with Injury

Brazil's Neymar waves to fans during a training session in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP)
Brazil's Neymar waves to fans during a training session in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP)

Al-Hilal's Neymar is expected to miss two weeks with an injury.

Neymar made just his second appearance for the Saudi club following a 12-month injury layoff by coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute of Al-Hilal's 3-0 win over Esteghlal of Iran in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

The former Barcelona star then pulled up after stretching for the ball with three minutes remaining and had to be replaced.

“Unfortunately, it is not a simple injury and he seems to be suffering from muscle pain and it is not a knee issue,” Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said Wednesday in a press conference in Riyadh. “He is expected to be out for two weeks.”

Neymar took to social media to update his fans.

“Hopefully nothing too much...” he wrote. “It’s normal that after one year (out) this happens, the doctors had already warned me, so I have to be careful and play more minutes.”

Neymar has played just seven games for the 19-time Saudi champion since signing in August 2023.

He is not currently registered to play domestic league games as the club has a full contingent of 10 foreign players, but is allowed to play in continental competitions.

A new registration window opens in January.



Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Team Secures 10 Medals at World Championship in Greece

The Saudi jiu-jitsu team won a total of 10 medals at the World Championship held in Crete, from October 23 to November 4. SPA
The Saudi jiu-jitsu team won a total of 10 medals at the World Championship held in Crete, from October 23 to November 4. SPA
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Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Team Secures 10 Medals at World Championship in Greece

The Saudi jiu-jitsu team won a total of 10 medals at the World Championship held in Crete, from October 23 to November 4. SPA
The Saudi jiu-jitsu team won a total of 10 medals at the World Championship held in Crete, from October 23 to November 4. SPA

The Saudi jiu-jitsu team won a total of 10 medals — 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze — at the World Championship held in Crete, Greece, from October 23 to November 4.

Saudi jiu-jitsu team members who won gold medals are: Mohammed Al-Mukhlis in the under-69 kg category (Masters Division), Omar Nada in the under-94 kg category (Senior Team Division), and Abdullah Nada in the under-85 kg category (Youth Division).

Silver medals were won by Abdulmalik Al-Murdi in the under-62 kg category (Senior Team Division), Elias Banjar in the under-62 kg category (Youth Division), and Waleed Al-Haidari in the under-56 kg category (Youth Division).

Bronze medals went to Osamah Al-Marwia in the "No Gi" category, Khaled Habab, who earned two medals in the under-52 kg and "No Gi - 52 kg" categories (Youth Division), and Hadeel Qadha in the under-57 kg category (Junior Division).

Jiu-Jitsu Federation chief executive Rakan Al-Fehaid emphasized that the achievement by the Saudi team was made possible by the unwavering support of the Saudi leadership for sports federations.