'Not a medical department' - Neymar move ruled out as Brazilian club president mocks Al-Hilal's star's injury struggles

Neymar has struggled with fitness ever since he moved to the Saudi Pro League to join Al-Hilal last summer. In October 2023, he ruptured his ACL while on international duty and stayed sidelined for nearly one year. He briefly returned to action for his club last month, however, he once again suffered a hamstring injury which will now keep him out of action for four to six weeks.

There have been talks of the 32-year-old exiting the Saudi Pro League club as early as January 2025 amid interest from his boyhood club Santos. The Brazilian side are reportedly preparing a concrete offer to bring Neymar back to his homeland, however, Palmeiras have ruled out the possibility of signing the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star as their club president mocked the player's injury struggles.

Speaking to UOL, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira said: "Great player, but he's going to Santos. I don't know, you have to ask Santos, but not here, he wouldn't come. I want to invest in someone who can come in immediately, who can start tomorrow if the coach decides. Palmeiras is not a medical department. I do not accept that a player signed by Palmeiras is not ready to play immediately."

For now, the Brazilian star will focus on fully regaining his fitness and hope to make an appearance for Al-Hilal in January 2025. Depending on his fitness, the club will decide on whether to register him in the Saudi Pro League in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.