Neymar’s Al-Hilal debut delayed due to injury
Brazilian winger Neymar might have to wait until September to make his debut for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal because of injury, coach Jorge Jesus said.
Neymar joined Al-Hilal from Paris St Germain last Tuesday on a two-year contract that French newspaper L’Equipe said could earn the 31-year-old 160 million euros (174 million dollars).
“Neymar is an innovative and creative player, he will help us to improve, but he has a slight injury now and I don’t know when he will return.
“Maybe he will be ready in mid-September,” Jesus said after a welcoming ceremony in front of 60,000 spectators at the King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday.
Drones flew above Al-Hilal’s home ground and spelled out “Neymar is Blue” before the former Barcelona star watched his new team held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Fayha.
Al-Hilal coach Jesus also expressed his surprise at Neymar’s inclusion in the Brazil squad for two World Cup qualifiers next month.
“I don’t know how the Brazilian national team (could have) called him, he is not ready,” Jesus said.
Neymar has not played for Brazil since last year’s World Cup as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained in February.
But he has been included in the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia on Sept. 8 and Peru four days later.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Banks’ assets hit N180.37 trillion: Report
The report said deposit money banks in Nigeria contributed 41.8 per cent to the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP).
States
Troops kill terrorist commander, foil attacks in Zamfara, Katsina
Troops killed a notorious terrorist commander and foiled attacks in two states.
World
Woman suspected in Monaco bomb attack found dead near Kyiv
Ukrainian prosecutors said her body was found near Kyiv, with a gunshot wound to the head.
Africa
Xenophobic Attacks: Ghana govt defers Ramaphosa’s planned state visit
”We sent them a communication indicating that it would be best to defer the visit in view of the present climate around xenophobia,” Mr Ofosu said.
Abuja
ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged abuse of court approved medical visit
Mr Odey said the doctor was arrested because he allegedly made false statements regarding a court-approved medical visit.
World
UNHRC adopts first-ever resolution linking human rights, neglected diseases
The landmark move is expected to strengthen global efforts to eliminate the diseases and improve the lives of more than one billion affected people.
