After spending one year and four days away from the field due to a serious knee injury, Neymar Jr. returned to action on Monday (21) during Al-Hilal’s 5-4 victory over Al Ain.

In an AFC Champions League group stage match, the star player came on in the 31st minute of the second half, replacing Nasser Al-Dawsari. Neymar Jr. nearly scored his first goal back around the 41-minute mark with a left-footed shot that went just wide of the opponent’s goalpost.

Before the match, the No. 10 celebrated his return on social media, highlighting the feeling of playing again after so long and thanking God for the opportunity. “Happy to be feeling this way again. That pre-game butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling is always great… may this be a healthy comeback! May God bless and protect us.” With the victory, Al-Hilal reached 9 points, taking the lead in Group B of the competition. Neymar’s return marks an important moment not only for the player but also for the Saudi club.