Will Neymar play for Al-Hilal against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr? Report provides update
A report from GOAL has revealed Brazilian superstar Neymar's availability for Al-Hilal's high-stakes Saudi Pro League clash against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. The 32-year-old has been out of action for over a year and recently made his return to first-team training.
Neymar joined Al-Hilal from French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a reported €90 million fee in August 2023. He bagged a goal and three assists in five appearances before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
The forward missed the rest of the 2023-24 season and the start of the 2024-25 season. He recently made his return from injury, making a substitute appearance in a thrilling 5-4 win over Emirati side Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Although Neymar is fit and ready to play, he will not feature in Hilal's mouth-watering clash against Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, according to the aforementioned report. The AFC Champions League has no rules over the number of foreign players allowed in a team's squad, allowing the Brazilian to be registered in the squad.
In the Saudi Pro League however, teams can only register up to 10 non-Saudi players in their matchday squads. Due to his extended period on the sidelines, the former Barcelona man was not included in Hilal's list. He can only be added back into the squad during the January transfer window in 2025.
Consequentially, the earliest match-up between Ronaldo and Neymar would likely be on April 4 when Al-Hilal host Al-Nassr in the league. The ex-PSG winger could, however, feature when Al-Hilal take on Iranian side Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite on November 4.
"Everyone wants to be in Miami" - Journalist opens up on potential Neymar-Lionel Messi reunion at Inter Miami
According to a report from The Miami Herald's Michelle Kaufman, Brazilian superstar Neymar 'wants to be' in Miami alongside ex-Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
The Argentine led the Herons to the top seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. They currently hold a 1-0 lead over Atlanta United in the best-of-three first round playoff series and are widely considered favourites to win the title.
Besides Messi, Neymar's former Barca comrades Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba also ply their trade at the Chase Stadium. The Brazilian is also believed to have bought property in Miami in the last week, adding fuel to the fiery rumours about the potential move.
Elaborating on the 32-year-old's situation, the intricacies surrounding his contract and a prospective move to Florida, Kaufman said (via Inter Miami News):
"His contract with Al-Hilal ends in May 2025, so he’s a free agent next summer. The word is that although he’s making $100m, has a 25-room mansion and a private jet, he wants to be in Miami."
"Everyone wants to be in Miami with Messi and all that. It would make sense, mid-2025 he will come here in time for the Club World Cup and in time for the 2026 World Cup, he can build his brand in the US leading into the 2026 World Cup, and Inter Miami will also be opening their new stadium in March 2026," Kaufman added.