Both the Saudis and the Brazilians are delighted that Neymar has recovered from a thigh muscle injury. According to Globo, the striker is expected to make his Al Hilal debut next Friday in a derby against Karin Benzema’s Al Ittihad.

Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad is likened to a “super classic” match of the Saudi Arabian league. Not only that, its attraction is further increased thanks to the presence of many big stars in the two sides’ lineups. At the moment, while Al Ittihad is at the top of the Saudi Pro League table with 4 wins and an impressive 12-0 difference, Al Hilal is right behind with 10 points.

Neymar had his first training session with the ball in an Al Hilal shirt last Saturday and showed comfort. Not complaining about the pain in the thigh due to injury, Neymar is even ready to be on the list to attend the match against Al Ettifaq that Al Hilal won 2-0 last night but the coaching staff wanted to be more vigilant and focus. into the “super classic” battle.

The good news contrasts with the pessimism that coach Jorge Jesus expressed in an interview a week ago. At that time, Al Hilal’s coach questioned his colleague Fernando Diniz’s summoning of Neymar, claiming that the striker would not be able to play for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September. Technical committee and department. The Brazilian Football Federation’s medical staff in turn kept in touch with Neymar, who repeatedly reiterated his desire to continue playing, and reassured him about his muscular problems.

Not playing for the national team after being eliminated by Croatia in the 2022 World Cup, Neymar will again wear the No. 10 shirt with Brazil against Bolivia on September 9 in Belem and Peru on September 13 in Lima. Neymar has publicly expressed his admiration for the work of Fernando Diniz, with whom he had conversations that helped make the decision to return to Selecao right at the start of the 2026 World Cup cycle.