Al Hilal plan to de-register Neymar for 2023-24 season
(Courtesy : Reuters)
Neymar picked up a devastating injury in October and has undergone surgery.
Saudi Champions and the latest winners of the AFC Champions League – Al Hilal are amongst the strongest and most quality contingents in all of Asian Club Football.
The Al-Za’eem, are in the group D in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League, the same group that Indian outfit Mumbai City FC belong to. The Islanders have played both their games against Al Hilal, with the first game ending in a frustrating 6-0 beating in Saudi.
The second game saw a more resilient performance by Mumbai, which ultimately came to nothing as they were beaten 2-0.
No Neymar for the Champions
Currently sitting at the top of their ACL group, and also the Saudi Pro League, it is hard to believe that Al Hilal are missing their star player, and their super summer signing Neymar.
The Brazilian made headlines when he made a move to the Saudi Pro League at the start of the new season, and was expected to make Al Hilal an unstoppable side.
Despite this high profile signing, Neymar has been out of action since October, as he picked up an ACL injury during an international game against Uruguay.
This injury, now rules out the 31-year-old for the entirety of the 2023-24 season, as he now recovers from the woes of another painful bump.
Al Hilal’s decision regarding the matter
With Neymar now ruled out for the season, it is being learnt that Al Hilal are planning to de-register Neymar for the season, in order to make room for a foreign player, as per Saudi Arabian outlet Arriyadiyah.
The decision is in line with SPL rules, which limit non-Saudi players to eight per squad. Currently, apart from Neymar, the seven other foreign players in their roster are goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Morocco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal), Ruben Neves (Portugal), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic (both Serbia), Malcolm and Michael (both Brazil).
However, he will be welcomed back when he regains fitness ahead of the 2024-25 season. It is being expected that Neymar will be replaced by a new foreign left-back, who can further bolster Jorge Jesus’s side.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Where passion meets insight — blending breaking news, in-depth strategic analysis, viral moments, and jaw-dropping plays into powerful sports content designed to entertain, inform, and keep you connected to your favorite teams and athletes. Expect daily updates, expert commentary and coverage that never leaves a fan behind.