Neymar's Al-Hilal debut delayed by a month, here's why?

The recent high-profile signing of Brazilian winger Neymar by Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal has hit an early roadblock. Al-Hilal's manager, Jorge Jesus, has announced that the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star might have to postpone his much-anticipated debut for the Saudi side until mid-September due to an injury setback. The revelation comes shortly after Neymar's recent two-year deal with Al-Hilal, which, as per L'Equipe, could see him pocket a whopping 160 million euros ($174 million).

Neymar's acquisition is a testament to the magnetism of the Saudi Pro League, attracting footballing giants like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante during this summer's transfer window. Al-Hilal has not been left behind in this superstar race, having onboarded talents like Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Yassine Bonou, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Always known for his footballing flair and dexterity, Neymar is seen as an invaluable addition to Al-Hilal. Speaking about Neymar, Jorge Jesus commented, "Neymar is an innovative and creative player, he will help us to improve, but he has a slight injury now and I don't know when he will return. Maybe he will be ready in mid-September." This statement was made post a grand unveiling event at the King Fahd International Stadium, attended by 60,000 fans. The ceremony saw drones spelling "Neymar is Blue" across the sky, emphasizing the footballer's pivotal role in the club's ambitions.

However, the unveiling's grandeur was slightly overshadowed by Al-Hilal's subsequent 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha. Though the match did not end in victory, it was emblematic of the club's vision and drive for the forthcoming season.

Further adding a twist to the Neymar saga, the Brazilian national team chose him for their imminent friendlies, a move that perplexed Jesus. In his words, "I don't know how the Brazilian national team (could have) called him, he is not ready." This statement underscores the gravity of Neymar's injury and the potential challenges ahead for both Al-Hilal and the Brazilian national team.

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