Al Hilal star Neymar leaves fans stunned with drastic physical transformation

Add as a preferred source on Google

Al-Hilal and Brazilian superstar Neymar has recently shocked football fans with his drastic physical change.

Neymar last played for Brazil on October 18, when he suffered the injury in the Uruguay-Brazil South American qualifier. Since then he rarely made any public appearances, concentrating mostly on his recovery.

Although he was snapped in some remote snaps in some activities. The 31-year-old Brazilian striker mostly chose not to face the media. But recently he was caught attending one of Brazilian legends Romario's 58th birthday bash. Fans, however, were shocked to see his physical change in some of the shared snaps.

Neymar looked overweight in some of the shared snaps and social media was poured with comments criticising the former PSG and Barcelona star.

In recent years, Neymar has been on the receiving end for his contentious off-field issues. During his PSG stays many pundits and coaches criticised his dedication and fitness level towards the game. His recent experience in Saudi pro League too has been similar.

In what was anticipated as a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar's stint in the Middle East has turned into a forgettable chapter, marked by limited playing time and a substantial injury setback. A video on social media showed the star striker is sweating it out in the gym to regain his fitness.

Despite commanding a reported annual wage of €150 million, the Brazilian footballer's time in Saudi Arabia has been far from ideal. Since his arrival last summer, Neymar has featured in a mere five matches – three in the league and two in the AFC Champions League – amassing less than 400 minutes on the field.

This stark contrast to his prolific performances in European football has raised questions about the success of his move to Al-Hilal. The turning point in Neymar's Saudi adventure occurred in October during a crucial match against Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A serious injury unfolded as he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee, abruptly halting his season.

Initial expectations suggested a return to action by the end of the year, but the recovery timeline has proven more extensive than anticipated. As the months have passed, the realization has set in that a full recovery for the Brazilian star is now expected at the commencement of the next season.

This is not the first instance where questions about Neymar's off-pitch priorities have emerged. The revelation from his coach adds another layer to the narrative, hinting at a player who tends to prioritize personal pursuits during periods of injury-induced inactivity. Jorge Jesus, the coach at Al Hilal, has acknowledged Neymar's preference for a more private lifestyle.

This inclination, while not unprecedented, has raised eyebrows given the context of Neymar's high-profile move to Saudi Arabia and the significant investment made by Al-Hilal in securing his services.