Neymar is targeting a starring role at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup as he bids to salvage his injury ravaged Al Hilal career.
The Brazil forward moved to the kingdom from Paris Saint-Germain last August in a Saudi Pro League record transfer worth €90 million.
However, a serious knee injury sustained while on international duty means he has managed only seven appearances for the club, scoring just once and providing three assists. That’s a staggering €12.86m per appearance, and that’s before you factor in his reported annual salary of €100m.
The situation was compounded when the 32-year-old suffered a hamstring injury just two games into his comeback during an Asian Champions League win over Esteghlal last month.
Al Hilal posted a picture of Neymar on Monday afternoon accompanied by the caption “back to the field” suggesting a return to training six weeks after his latest setback, and the former Barcelona and PSG forward is determined to finally make an impact in Saudi football.
Between now and the end of the season Hilal will seek to retain their domestic crown, while also going for the Asian title, before heading to the US for the expanded 32-team global club finals next June.
Speaking to the former tennis player Marion Bartoli for France’s RMC Sport, Neymar confirmed he “will be back soon” and insisted he still had time to prove his worth to Hilal.
“I feel good, I feel better,” Neymar told Bartoli. “I returned to the field, but unfortunately I am still injured. The luck I have is that the injury is less serious today and I will be back soon.
“First of all, I want to have a good season with Al Hilal,” he said, when asked about potentially featuring at a fourth World Cup in 2026.
“I'm coming back from a very serious injury. I still have a little time to get back to my level and show why I'm here.
“My priority is there – to recover well, develop physically and simply play again. I would like to play in the 2025 Club World Cup with Al Hilal, because it is very important for the club.
“Obviously the World Cup is the goal for all players. I have already played in three World Cups, I obviously want to do the fourth. I have to be focused on that, prepare well here and have this medium-term objective after getting back in shape here, at my club.”
Despite his injury nightmare, Neymar insists he has no regrets over his move to the kingdom.
“I decided to leave PSG and this offer to join Al Hilal came. I got the offer right after I left because I was simply no longer happy there, at PSG,” said Neymar, who has been linked with a reunion with his former Barca teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami when his Hilal contract expires next summer.
“The club and the coach did not want to use me any more. They had already spoken to me about it, so I had to make a decision. And I liked the offer from Al Hilal. I got to know this club, the local culture and the championship.
“I was very surprised by my welcome here and the kindness of the supporters. The championship is growing, our team too, and with my family we are certain that we made a good decision.
“I am really very happy here. And all the players who want to come here are surprised by the level or even some very positive aspects of this championship.”
Unfortunately, injuries have been a theme of the second half of Neymar’s career, especially during his years at PSG. He says he draws strength from his previous comebacks and also made the somewhat surprising claim that he played his best football when in the French capital.
Neymar was previously part of Barcelona’s fabled “MSN” attacking trident alongside Messi and Suarez.
“I think it's above all a question of mentality,” he said. “An injury is always very complicated to manage for an athlete, especially with an injury as serious as I had and then returning to the top level is not easy.
“It's really a question of mentality with the people who are around you to help you. It's really not easy, but the people around me, my family and my friends have supported me a lot. It even made me stronger to be able to recover and progress mentally.
“Obviously I am passionate about football. I agree that my sporting years at PSG were probably the best for me. But it was very sad for me, because I often had very serious injuries that could last from three, four to six months. It bothered me a lot, but in terms of football, in terms of sport, it was the best Neymar they had in my entire career.
“So, I am happy to have been able to offer that to French football, but on the one hand, there is also this feeling of sadness because I did not play a full season, only the year 2020, when we reached the Champions League final. It was really a great year when I think back on it. I will never forget those moments, they are engraved in my heart.”
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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BABYLON
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Australia squads
ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.
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Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
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The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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Director: Tim Burton
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
