Neymar sends out message in response to claims his long-awaited Al-Hilal return from injury could be delayed until 2025

The Brazil international has been stuck on the sidelines since damaging knee ligaments during a World Cup qualifying appearance for his country in October 2023. Neymar has taken in a long road to recovery since then, but is still not back on the field.

The 32-year-old playmaker has been restricted to just five games and one goal for Al-Hilal since heading to the Saudi Pro League from French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Little return has been seen on the lucrative contract handed to the South American superstar.

There had been suggestions that Neymar was closing in on full fitness, with summer transfer talk quickly played down. Counter reports are now claiming that the Samba star may not be ready to resume his career until into the new year.

Neymar has responded to those with a post on Instagram that sees him pumping iron in the gym. He has accompanied a series of photos showing him working with an individual trainer with the captain: “Work in silence. Don’t give up.”

Plenty of reading between the lines is now taking place, with it unclear whether Neymar is batting away the speculation regarding a delayed return or reiterating his desire to focus fully on his recovery until the day comes for him to step back onto the pitch.