Neymar back in the goals! Brazilian superstar on target on latest return from injury for Al-Hilal in friendly win

The Brazilian superstar fired Al-Hilal into the lead, with the game against their fellow Saudi Pro League side finishing 2-0 after ex-Barcelona winger Malcom grabbed the second. Neymar had all the time in the world when converting a first-time shot from near the penalty spot. He was also heavily involved in the second, helping to win the ball back high up the pitch.

Although only an unofficial friendly, it is Neymar's first Al-Hilal goal in over a year, since October 2023 in the AFC Champions League. He suffered an ACL injury soon after, but then played just twice following his long-awaited comeback in October of this year before a hamstring injury ruled him out for almost another two months.

Even after regaining fitness for a few weeks, Neymar wasn't able to play in the first half of the Saudi Pro League season due to Al-Hilal maxing out their quota of foreign players - no such rules exist in the AFC Champions League. But he will be hoping to get on the pitch domestically as soon as possible and make up for lost time, nearly 18 months after he quit Paris Saint-Germain for a eye-watering contract in the Middle East. Al-Hilal have a King's Cup match against Al-Ittihad on January 7, before league action resumes against Al-Orobah four days later.