Neymar had to be substituted in the second game against Al Hilal after months of absence due to an apparent muscle injury

Neymar Jr. was substituted from the field just a few minutes later Al Hilals The AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal is his second game since returning from injury.

The Brazilian star, who had just recovered from an earlier injury, came on as a substitute in the 57th minute but soon had to be substituted, raising concerns about his comeback.

The incident occurred when Neymar extended his right leg to reach a pass from teammate Marcos Leonardo, but the ball landed just out of reach. Immediately after the game, Neymar grabbed his leg and signaled a substitution.

It appears to be a minor muscle problem that does not cause much concern for Al Hilal. However, to clarify Neymar's situation, the club's official medical report must be released. Al Hilal's next game is scheduled November 26thgiving the Brazilian star some time to recover.

What injury did Neymar suffer?

Neymar recovered from one torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a Meniscus injury in his left leg, which he sustained during a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay in October 2023. While Brazil suffered a 2-0 defeat in that game, the bigger setback was Neymar's serious injury, which sidelined him for an extended period.

*Development history

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist fluent in English and Spanish who specializes in football, NBA and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 at Mundo Deportivo US, where he made his first strides as a writer. Gianni has covered major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals and Grand Slam tournaments such as Roland Garros. His ability to report on events in real time and write under pressure has made him a valuable member of a world-class team of journalists. In 2024, he moved to Bolavip US, where he covers a wide range of sports including European soccer, MLS and the NBA. Gianni earned his degree in Communications from Deportea in Buenos Aires, Argentina.