Neymar To ‘Miss’ Start Of 2024-2025 Season

Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus provided an update on Neymar’s recuperation, indicating that the Brazilian will miss the start of the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season.

Neymar joined Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 on a two-year contract, marking a significant move in his illustrious career. However, his time on the pitch for the Saudi Pro League giants has been minimal as he picked up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee while on international duty in October 2023. This significant injury has kept the forward out of action, impacting both his club and international commitments.

READ ALSO: Al-Hilal Boss Reveals Key Difference Between Neymar & Ronaldo

Al-Hilal boss is not expecting Neymar back any time soon either, as he told reporters when asked for an update on the Brazilian’s recovery from surgery: “The [recovery] time they give Neymar, in an injury like this, is normally between 10 and 11 months. Neymar will not be operational at the start of next season. We think that in September, October, he may be in a position to compete.”

Jesus also disclosed that, after an outstanding 2023–24 season, he is in the process of negotiating a new contract with Al-Hilal. After rejoining the team in the summer of last year, the Portuguese manager has seen tremendous success, setting a record with 34 straight victories across all competitions and winning the Saudi Pro League.

“First I will settle the contract with the board and then that [team planning for next season] will come,” he said. “But I confirm that we are in constant discussions about the players.”

Neymar’s absence from this summer’s Copa America is a serious loss to the Selecao, even though he leads Brazil in goals scored all time with 79. A ray of hope for supporters and teammates alike, though, is that he might make a comeback in time to play in Brazil’s South American World Cup qualifiers later this year.

Jesus cannot afford to take his success too soon, as Al-Hilal will have one more chance to win a trophy before the season ends when they play Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, in the Saudi King Cup final.