Neymar had to be substituted due to injury after coming on as a substitute for Al Hilal

Neymar made his second appearance for Al Hilal, continuing his return after a year-long absence due to a torn cruciate ligament, which did not last long.

The Brazil international came on as a 58th-minute substitute in his team's 3-0 win in an elite Asian Champions League game on Monday, but was substituted less than 30 minutes later after going to the ground and grabbing the back of his right leg .

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick to lead Al Hilal to victory and take them to the top of the Asian Champions League league stage table

Neymar made his first appearance for Al Hilal, who he joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, on October 21, but did not play again until Wednesday's game against Esteghlal, as he will not be registered for Saudi Pro League games until January can.

Al Hilal had planned a slow return for Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, who tore a knee cruciate ligament in Brazil's qualifying match against Uruguay shortly after joining the Saudi team and underwent surgery last November.

Neymar was also left out of Brazil's latest squad for two World Cup qualifiers in November, with coach Dorival saying the team and federation did not want to rush his return to the national team.

Brazil is in fourth place in its World Cup qualifying group, four points behind leaders Argentina after ten games.

Information from Reuters was used in this story.