Brazil superstar Neymar on ACL recovery difficulties: ‘There are days that I want to give up’

Neymar has confessed that “there are days that I want to give up” as he continues to work his way back to full fitness after a lengthy absence through injury. The Brazil international’s latest serious knee problem came in October of 2023 with the Selecao when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

Neymar scored just once in his first five outings across all competitions for new club Al-Hilal after moving to Saudi Arabia from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 32-year-old admitted via social media that yet another painstaking recovery period has tested his resilience to its limits.

“After I suffered this injury, there are days that are difficult, there are days that I want to give up,” wrote Neymar on Instagram.

“It is hard to go through all of this. But here is a warrior who will not stop until I get what I want! God is my strength and my fortress. We will continue fighting every day.”

Neymar is contracted with the Saudi giants until 2025 and is yet to play the starring role that the Saudi Pro League had hoped for him.

The Brazilian remains his country’s all-time top scorer but missed this summer’s Copa America in the U.S. as Argentina successfully defended their title. Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus is hopeful that Neymar will be ready to return to action with his teammates from September onwards.

Current teammates include Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom and Yassine Bounou.

Given that he did take to the field for Al-Hilal in the Saudi topflight, Neymar does have a winners’ medal after their 2023-24 success.