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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Brazilian sidelined since October 2023</li><li>Made only five appearances for Saudi employers</li><li>Working on fitness after knee problem</li></ul>

Neymar sends out message in response to claims his long-awaited Al-Hilal return from injury could be delayed until 2025

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Brazil

Uruguay

Saudi Pro League

Al Khaleej

Al Hilal

<p>The Brazil international has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/neymar-al-hilal-brazil-star-acl-injury/bltb5208933103eb9f9" target="_blank">stuck on the sidelines since damaging knee ligaments</a> during a World Cup qualifying appearance for his country in October 2023. Neymar has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-injury-recovery-update-brazilian-superstar-gym-saudi-pro-league-al-hilal-acl-nightmare/blt0533182f4e2a2803" target="_blank">taken in a long road to recovery</a> since then, but is still not back on the field.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 32-year-old playmaker has been restricted to just five games and one goal for Al-Hilal since <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-galactico-kylian-mbappe-accused-trying-copy-neymar-trickery-psg-flamboyant-brazilian/blt4d2420dbac2edd8e" target="_blank">heading to the Saudi Pro League from French giants Paris Saint-Germain</a>. Little return has been seen on the lucrative contract handed to the South American superstar.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>There had been suggestions that Neymar was closing in on full fitness, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/no-msn-inter-miami-neymar-rules-out-lionel-messi-luis-suarez-reunion-mls-al-hilal-forward-future-plans/blt53796beb37fe2b9a" target="_blank">summer transfer talk quickly played down</a>. Counter reports are now claiming that the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-al-hilal-coach-jorge-jesus-eager-to-delay-brazilian-return-from-injury-until-january/blt097c52a49d3474d9" target="_blank">Samba star may not be ready to resume his career until into the new year</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Neymar has responded to those with a post on Instagram that sees him pumping iron in the gym. He has accompanied a series of photos showing him working with an individual trainer with the captain: “Work in silence. Don’t give up.”</p><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_sdzv_ohz9/?img_index=2" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT NEYMAR SAID

<p>Plenty of reading between the lines is now taking place, with it unclear whether Neymar is batting away the speculation regarding a delayed return or reiterating his desire to focus fully on his recovery until the day comes for him to step back onto the pitch.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Neymar sends out message in response to claims his long-awaited Al-Hilal return from injury could be delayed until 2025 | Goal.com

Neymar has delivered a “work in silence” response to claims that his long-awaited return to action at Al-Hilal could be delayed until 2025.