Witnessing a substitute being substituted off is seldom a positive occurrence, and that was the case for Neymar on 4 November. Entering the field as a second-half substitute in an AFC Champions League Elite match against Esteghlal of Iran, the 32-year-old quickly captivated fans in Riyadh with his trademark sombrero flicks and step-overs. However, the excitement was short-lived. After just 30 minutes, a slight stretch for the ball in the penalty area led to another injury, prematurely ending his second game back after a 12-month injury layoff.

The Brazilian, accustomed to injuries, remained optimistic. “Hopefully, it’s nothing serious... It’s normal after a year out, the doctors had warned me, so I need to be cautious and gradually increase my playing time,” Neymar shared on social media. His manager at Al-Hilal, Jorge Jesus, was more reserved. “Unfortunately, it’s not a minor injury; he appears to be experiencing muscle pain, not a knee issue,” he stated. The club anticipates a four-to-six week absence.

As Neymar slowly exited the field after his seventh appearance in 15 months, his team went on to win 3-0, there was a palpable sense that his time in Saudi Arabia might be drawing to a close, though it never truly began. In August 2023, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star became the third of the big three signings in the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Cristiano Ronaldo was the pioneer, joining Al-Nassr in December 2022, paving the way for others. Six months later, Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in Jeddah, followed by Neymar.

Among the trio, Ronaldo has been the most successful, shattering the league’s goalscoring record last season and keeping the competition in the spotlight. Benzema’s tenure has been mixed; his first season saw nine goals, a couple of injuries, and rumors of a falling out with then-head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. However, under compatriot Laurent Blanc, Benzema has already scored eight times this season. Neymar, on the other hand, has barely made an impact on the pitch.

Questions arose in the summer of 2023 when the SPL became the talk of the football world, questioning whether Al-Hilal actually needed him. However, as the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, they were never going to let their fellow Public Investment Fund stablemates monopolize all the global superstars. A reported fee of over £80m was paid for the forward. But just as Neymar was starting to find his rhythm, he ruptured his ACL while playing for Brazil. Undeterred, Al-Hilal continued their record-breaking streak of 34 consecutive wins and dominated the league. This season, the Blues have won 15 of their first 16 matches across all competitions, leading the SPL table and their 12-team Champions League group.

Neymar was not registered for the first half of the SPL season, from August to January. Al-Hilal had all the foreign players allowed in the league, but no such restrictions exist in Asia (a rule Saudi Arabia pushed to change), hence his comeback in the Champions League. The big question now is whether Neymar will be registered in January. Many speculate he won’t be. His contract expires next summer, and it might be best to let him go so all parties can move on.

However, there is one factor to consider. The Fifa Club World Cup takes place next summer in the United States. While the expanded 32-team tournament may not be well-received in some parts of Europe, it is a significant event in the Middle East. Al-Hilal views it as a major opportunity, and it could be Neymar’s final act as an Al-Hilal player, representing Saudi Arabia and Asia on the global stage.

Whether he departs in the winter or summer, the Americas seem to be Neymar’s most likely destination. Inter Miami and a reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez have been mentioned, as well as an emotional return to Santos, the club he led as a teenager to a first Copa Libertadores title in 48 years. Interest from Santos appears to be genuine. “We are clear and objective; his father and his staff know it,” said Santos president Marcelo Teixeira recently. “They know me, they know Santos. We have to wait because he has an active contract.”

There is still time for Neymar to conclude his Al-Hilal career in glory. Alternatively, the last fans might see of him could be as a substituted substitute.

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