“There are days that I want to give up” - Neymar makes big admission on difficulties during recovery from injury
Al-Hilal attacker Neymar has opened up about the difficulties he's had in recovering from his current injury. The Brazil international tore his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus while on international duty last October and has failed to feature for his club since.
The former Barcelona star did not form a part of the country's Copa America team as well this summer. Writing about how hard it has been and claiming that he even felt like giving up at a point, the forward wrote on Instagram (via ESPN):
"After I suffered this injury, there are days that are difficult, there are days that I want to give up. It's hard to go through all of this.
"But there's a warrior who won't stop until I get what I want! God is my strength and my fortress. We will continue fighting every day."
Neymar has barely featured for his Saudi Arabian employers since signing for them from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023. The former Ligue 1 player was bought by Al-Hilal for a reported fee of €90 million.
To date, he's made just five appearances across competitions for the club, bagging one goal and three assists. The Brazilian is yet to return to action as his colleagues prepare for the start of the Saudi Pro League.
Their first match of the league season is an away tie against Al Akhdoud on August 24. They play their next pre-season friendly against Udinese on Saturday (August 3).
When Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus said Neymar could return to action in September 2024
Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus addressed Neymar's return ahead of the 2024/25 season, claiming that the Brazilian would not be available for the start of the campaign.
Rather, he claimed that the ex-Blaugrana star would potentially join the squad in September or October this year. Speaking about this in May, Jesus said (via ESPN):
"The (recovery) time they give him in an injury like this, is normally between 10 and 11 months. He will not be operational at the start of next season. We think that in September, October, he may be in a position to compete."
Even in the 32-year-old's absence, Al-Hilal managed to clinch the Saudi Pro League title last season, finishing 14 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's second-placed Al-Nassr.