Getty Image / Guillermo Legaria
If you’re a soccer fan, and maybe if you aren’t, you know that the Saudi Pro League has started throwing huge money around at some of the game’s biggest names. But, Saudi club Al-Hilal is going to be without one of the world’s biggest stars, as Neymar tore his while playing ACL for the Brazilian National Team over the international break currently underway in the soccer calendar.
The injury came in Brazil’s loss to Uruguay on Tuesday in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying against rival Uruguay. Obviously, it’s going to keep him out for a while, with surgery coming.
Such are the risks of how the soccer calendar is set up. Unlike most other sports, the bulk of national team matches happen during the season, with five FIFA-approved international breaks occurring each calendar year. Most of the top leagues that have plenty of players good enough to be selected for national teams respect those windows and cease league and cup play during this time.
How did his club, Al-Hilal, handle the news? They posted an absolutely insane graphic to Twitter, literally showing their story injured on the turf.
The medical tests “NEYMAR ” underwent, confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later..
Return Stronger @neymarjr 💙#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/5I3u7F7wQm
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) October 18, 2023
Could you imagine the New York Jets having posted that when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles?
Neymar is one of the biggest stars in all of sports, and the Barcelona and PSG legend moved to for just over $100 million this offseason. Al-Hilal is paying him well over $100 million per year to suit up for the club. And, that’s not the only foreign-born star the club has splurged for. Legendary Inter Milan center back Kalidou Koulibaly and Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves also play for the club, which is in first place, four points ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, Al Nassr.