After Neymar sustained a nasty-looking injury during Monday’s AFC Champions League match against Esteghlal FC, Al Hilal’s eagerly awaited comeback was cut short.

The 32-year-old forward has only made seven appearances for his new team since joining Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal last summer in a deal that reportedly pays him £378,000 per day.

Last year, during Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay, the Brazilian player tore his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, necessitating surgery to fix the injury.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger eventually returned last month after missing 369 days of action when he took Nasser Al Dawsari’s place in the 77th minute of their AFC Champions League match against Al Ain.

However, nearly two weeks later, Neymar appears to be out again due to a reported hamstring injury sustained during Monday’s victory over Esteghlal.

Manager Jorge Jesus sent in Neymar in the 58th minute after he had started on the bench, but he was replaced after just 29 minutes when he gave the signal to be substituted.

Soon after, footage surfaced showing the Brazilian flinging his boots and shinpads aside, appearing heartbroken by what was happening.

This is the social media response from supporters.

“It might be time for us all to acknowledge that his body is no longer capable of handling professional football,” one person remarked, while another posted: “Neymar hurt again? “Football is really cruel.”

A third said: “This person makes me really sad. All I can hope for is that this injury is not too severe.

“It’s safe to say Neymar needs to call it a day,” wrote a fourth. “It’s crazy how unlucky Neymar is, just came back from an ACL and in his second game back already he has already sustained a hamstring injury,” a fifth person said, adding that “his body can’t talk all these injuries.”

Neymar will be evaluated by Al Hilal personnel following his apparent hamstring problem, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The winger has had a disappointing few days after being left out of Brazil’s 23-man roster for their forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Venezuela.

Dorival Junior, the manager of Brazil, gave media an explanation for his choice.

According to the 62-year-old, “we decided not to bring him so as not to rush things,” “The fact that he just had a few minutes, even though he’s almost fully recovered, greatly influenced the choice.

“He understood the circumstances, his condition, and the lack of minutes] on the field, but he was still willing to be here.” The club’s procedure must be respected. Being here is always enjoyable for a player of his caliber. Even though he is not fully recovered, this is crucial to us.