Neymar could be sidelined by Al Hilal

Sergio Moraleda NEYMAR Could the Brazilian be removed to allow for another non-EU space? OUT FOR AL HILAL

[{"selector":"#anim-99c5bbc7-079a-4577-94a6-e2728f0cd469","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25325eee-42bf-40a3-9dcb-777514c69e8d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.991948483383876%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":8000,"fill":"both"}] On 18 October, Uruguay and Brazil clashed in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. A challenge from De la Cruz forced Neymar off injured.

[{"selector":"#anim-d4b89037-2470-43c8-a3e9-cfca1b283bdf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e93cebff-3833-4ff4-ab37-94372a7dc9ec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-17.24979599541113%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":8000,"fill":"both"}] The Brazilian, who left the pitch clearly in pain, suffered from a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus in his left knee.

[{"selector":"#anim-eb2c681e-4eef-4ee2-9863-c68e26ae9956","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] If the recovery timelines are met, he won't play until mid-2024, missing 25 matches with Al Hilal. It is the worst injury of his career.

[{"selector":"#anim-bda4b5a6-ec85-4825-9ac1-03450a946c75","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This could see the Saudi club placing Neymar on the injured list for the rest of the season, aiming to free up one of their eight slots for foreign players.

[{"selector":"#anim-93095446-2253-48ab-a5ec-a7fb3b7cbb70","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b002591b-039d-4186-86c4-c57c30e2adf3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.847457627118644)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":8000,"fill":"forwards"}] Jorge Jesus, the coach of Al Hilal, would reportedly support this decision. His intention is to sign a world-class left-back during the month of January.

[{"selector":"#anim-a25da3fb-ad8c-4382-bd67-5abf5d8e32a5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This doesn't mean Neymar will become a free agent. If the attacker is fully recovered, he will be reinstated to the squad in the 24/25 season.

[{"selector":"#anim-921ef503-7cdc-4d6f-845d-052014bfa0a1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Neymar joined the Saudi Pro League this summer for a fee of 90 million, making him the most expensive player in the history of the competition.

[{"selector":"#anim-7d6edf05-4fd4-4ff1-813d-e6684446fc45","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] However, since his arrival, he has only played in five matches, scoring one goal and providing three assists.

[{"selector":"#anim-cd22ab66-d818-49a9-a12c-ab5ebad38bb0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-caa653e4-ce20-49d8-a798-6c8cb519c893 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.7936507936507936)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":8000,"fill":"forwards"}] With this injury, Neymar has now faced his 32nd injury as a player. Since leaving Barcelona in 2017, he has spen t a total of 746 days sidelined.

[{"selector":"#anim-a74ed604-0b13-4989-9309-a203ef8ea448","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 196.90347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39fd76d9-3711-42c8-b017-cfda93661b07 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-13.792167544653303%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":8000,"fill":"both"}] Adding the latest projection, Neymar will have missed a total of 202 games due to injuries, and may miss the 2024 Copa América, in June and July.

[{"selector":"#anim-e9ae14c1-2f67-41e9-9375-cf62ed51107f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.31330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14224348-3dab-4599-af1a-a74e99583e41 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(15.56627069391305%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":8000,"fill":"both"}] FIFA will also be adversely affected. Its Club Protection Program will have to pay € 20,548 (c.$22,300) to Al Hilal for each day that Neymar remains injured.