Neymar's Unorthodox Switch-Up
Time off for a fresh start
Brazilian football star, Neymar (31), faced a major setback during Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. Undergoing surgery in Brazil, the Brazilian talisman was expected to be out of action until the end of April 2024 for his Saudi club Al-Hilal.
With time off from the pitch, Neymar made the most of his recovery period. Recently, he surprised his 216 million Instagram followers with a new look - a short-back-and-sides haircut in place of his original long hair and a moustache replacing his usual beard. Fans have shown mixed reactions, with some expressing disappointment and others commenting on Neymar's "new moustache".
The impact of Neymar's injury, however, goes beyond his physical appearance. His Saudi club Al-Hilal suspended his player registration until the end of the season, as Neymar's recovery was expected to stretch beyond the Saudi League's finish date. Additionally, Neymar's absence leaves a void within Al-Hilal's foreign player quota.
Al-Hilal's current foreign player quota already accounts for its existing eight non-Saudi players. In the Saudi League, only eight foreign players are permitted per team. With Neymar's extended absence, the Saudi club's coach Jorge Jesus (69) seeks a reinforcement for the left flank. However, signing a foreign player would require Al-Hilal to make room by releasing two of its current foreign players.
The Brazilian star, who traded Paris Saint-Germain for Al-Hilal in August 2023 for approximately 90 million euros, had penned a two-year contract, earning 150 million euros per season. Despite his impressive move, Neymar's serious knee injury has come as a major challenge to both his career and the club.
- Injury Derails Neymar's Saudi Adventure
Neymar's move to Al-Hilal was abruptly halted by his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Although he returned to action after five months following knee surgery in Belo Horizonte by Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, his form was inconsistent. The Brazilian star succumbed to another setback when he suffered a hamstring injury in November 2024. Due to these ailments and lackluster performances, Neymar ultimately parted ways with Al-Hilal amicably to rejoin Santos, his former child club.
- Al-Hilal's Struggle to Manage Foreign Player Quota
Neymar's injury has also placed additional pressure on Al-Hilal and their foreign player allocation. As the club's headcount for foreign stars stands at the maximum permissible quota of eight, signing a new foreign player would require letting go of two players. Darwin Nunez has reportedly been connected with a potential move to Al-Hilal, but with limited space, either Neymar or another international player would need to exit the team for Nunez's entry.
To summarise, Neymar's severe knee injury has wreaked havoc on both his playing status and Al-Hilal's foreign player quota in the Saudi Pro League. Despite his time away from the field, Neymar found an opportunity to change up his look, but the broader implications of his loss on the pitch are far more substantial.
