Neymar returns as Al-Hilal edges past Al-Ain in thriller

Neymar, playing for Al Hilal, takes the field during an AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Neymar, representing Al Hilal, competes in the AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. | Image Source: Getty Images

Neymar made his comeback in Al-Hilal's intense 5-4 victory against UAE Pro League team Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League on Monday.

The 32-year-old Brazilian striker replaced the injured Nasser Al-Dawsari in the 77th minute, with his team ahead 5-3. Salem Al-Dawsari had scored a hat-trick, and there were also goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Renan Lodi.

He nearly found the net during a late counter-attack, but then Al-Ain managed to reduce the deficit in injury time with a penalty taken by Soufiane Rahimi, who also scored a hat-trick in the match.

Al-Hilal managed to hold on during an extended stoppage time as their opponents sought to level the score. As a result, they will continue to lead the standings in West Asia after completing the third round of the league phase.

The current champions of the Saudi Pro League are at the top of the standings, holding 21 points.

“I’m feeling great, it’s quite challenging. I always have an amazing team supporting me. But I’m really happy. I’m back,” Neymar expressed with emotion after the match at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium.

Neymar was sidelined for a year due to a torn cruciate ligament in his knee, which he injured during a World Cup qualifier match against Uruguay. He had surgery to repair the damage last November.

After transferring from French champions Paris St Germain to Saudi Arabia for an estimated fee of 90 million euros ($97.8 million) in August of the previous year, Neymar managed to play just five matches before being sidelined due to ongoing muscle injuries.