By Miguel Rapetti
This Saturday the Brazilian Neymar was presented as a new Al-Hilal player in the Saudi Arabian league, but beyond delighting the fans with his arrival, concern invaded the club environment after coach Jorge Jesús reported that the winger is suffering a muscle injury.
Speaking at a press conference after the 1-1 draw this Saturday against Al-Fayha, Jorge Jesús assured that Neymar’s debut will not take place soon because he has physical problems, although he has no idea of the extent of the injury.
“Neymar can do anything for Al-Hilal. He is one of the best players in the world, of that I have no doubt, in normal physical condition. He arrived with a small injury, he still won’t be able to train with the team. I don’t know when he will be able to play, “commented the strategist in this regard.
Later he became controversial when commenting that he did not understand the call of Neymar Jr. with the Brazilian team for the first matches of the World Cup Qualifiers in Canada, the United States and Mexico 2026 to be played on September 8 and 12, taking into account muscle ailment.
“Since we are talking about Neymar, I don’t know why he is on the squad for the Brazil team, a player who is injured. Maybe they will force Neymar to go to Brazil. He won’t play because he can’t play. He doesn’t even train let alone play. But I know he’s on the call. I know this is an issue we need to discuss. Today I don’t see any justification for Neymar to go to Brazil if he is injured. He doesn’t train, how can he play?” Jesus added.
Lastly, he stated that if it is because of his opinion, Neymar should not travel to Brazil, but we will have to wait to find out the final decision of both the five-time champion’s medical squad or that of the player himself.
“He can’t play for the national team. He’s hurt. I don’t think I should go to Brazil, but that’s a problem in Al-Hilal. He has to recover from a muscular problem to start playing, which is what he knows how to do well, ”he concluded.
Jorge Jesús’s statements come after not only the signing of Carioca by the Arab club was closed, but Neymar had been training frequently with PSG before the team’s departure and even had minutes during the Asian tour against Jeonbuk, where he scored two goals in the 90 minutes he played.
Keep reading:
- Neymar on his arrival in Saudi Arabia: “Cristiano Ronaldo was the pioneer in this and at first everyone called him crazy”
- The special clauses of Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal: Private plane, bonuses for victories and publicity and more
- “Let’s enjoy”: Brazilian Neymar Jr. was presented by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in front of almost 60,000 people