Neymar back from lengthy injury layoff

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal handed defending champions Al-Ain a dramatic 5-4 defeat in the Asian Champions League Elite as Salem Al-Dawsari's hat-trick overshadowed Neymar's return to competitive action in the UAE.

Neymar, who had been sidelined since a cruciate ligament rupture last October, was a 77th-minute substitute as the visiting Saudi Pro League side avenged last season's semi-final loss against Al-Ain despite playing the closing stages with 10 men.

The win keeps Al-Hilal on top of the league standings in west Asia with nine points after three rounds, alongside fellow Saudi side Al-Ahli, who won 2-1 over Qatar's Al-Rayyan.

Neymar, 32, signed for Al-Hilal in August 2023 but played only five times before an injury suffered while on international duty for Brazil ended his season.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward almost scored immediately on his return when his low shot from left of the area shaved the post.

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