With Neymar having returned to the pitch after spending over a year on the sidelines, Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus has revealed his plans for the Brazilian.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star has been out of action since October last year, when he picked up a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a meniscus injury in his left leg while on international duty.
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However, during the Blue Waves' AFC Champions League clash against United Arab Emirates outfit Al Ain on Monday evening, the Brazil international made his highly-anticipated return to the playing field.
The attacker was introduced in the 77th minute, taking part in a riveting encounter that ended 5-4 in Al Hilal's favour.
Neymar also nearly got his name on the scoresheet, but dragged his effort just wide to narrowly miss the target.
While the 32-year-old's return to action may have excited many, the club will not be able to utilise the player as they would like to because he cannot be registered for the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League campaign until January.
Manager Jesus has since revealed the way in which he would like to get Neymar back to the required level.
"I need to prepare Neymar through the games; that's the only possible means to bring him to his level, which was the idea today," the manager said, per the SPL's official website.
"There are some risks for the team because we need to use the games to prepare him, but it's the only way to have one of our important players back to the highest level."
The Saudi Arabian outfit are first in Group B with three wins from three in the AFC Champions League, and will be hoping the former FC Barcelona star's return can help them achieve continental glory.
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They have also had a flawless start to their league campaign, recording victories in all of their seven matches thus far, with an attack that has scored 21 goals and a tight defence that has conceded just six times.
The Brazilian's league return in January would certainly be a boost regardless as they look to defend their status as reigning domestic champions.
By Junaid Benjamin
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