RIYADH: After more than a year away from the pitch due to injury, Neymar is set to rejoin Al-Hilal for their Asian Champions League match against Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The Brazilian forward, who has been sidelined since October 2022, announced through a video on Al-Hilal's official channels that he is ready to return to competitive play. According to Burkina Information Agency, Neymar sustained a cruciate ligament and meniscus injury during a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay while playing for Brazil. The injury occurred shortly after he transferred from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal in August 2023. Despite his brief tenure with the Saudi club, having played only five matches, Neymar's return is highly anticipated by both fans and the team. In a heartfelt video shared on Saturday, Neymar expressed the emotional toll of his absence, stating, "I suffer every day that I stay away, that's what hurts me the most." He further emphasized his commitment to returning at full strength, h ighlighting his past resilience in overcoming injuries. The video concluded with Neymar outlining his focus on future competitions, leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Despite Neymar's absence, Al-Hilal has maintained strong performance, securing the national championship for the 19th time last season. The Brazilian star's return, with his reported annual salary of approximately 100 million euros, is expected to further bolster the team's ambitions both domestically and internationally.