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

Brazil superstar Neymar returned to action on Monday following more than a year out, with the Al Hilal forward appearing as a second-half substitute in his side's gripping 5-4 win against Asian champions Al Ain in the UAE.

Neymar returned to action after a year out through injury and helped Al-Hilal beat Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates 5-4 in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday. Neymar signed for the Saudi Arabia club in August 2023 but played only five times before tearing an anterior cruciate ligament last October.

The 32-year-old Brazil forward came on for the injured Nasser Al-Dawsari in the 77th minute with his team leading 5-3 thanks to Salem Al-Dawsari's hat-trick and goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Renan Lodi.

Neymar has made his first appearance in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench in Al Hilal's AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.

Neymar expects to play for Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal in an Asian Champions League match next week after one year on the sidelines due to injury.

Neymar made a victorious comeback after a year-long injury, helping Al-Hilal secure a 5-4 win over Al Ain in the AFC Champions League. Despite a year out, his presence was felt as he nearly scored immediately.

Brazilian soccer star Neymar made his return to the pitch more than a year after rupturing his ACL and meniscus in his left knee, playing 20 minutes for Al-Hilal on Monday.

Brazil forward Neymar makes his first appearance for Al-Hilal in over a year after recovering from surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

Hilal's hard-fought 5-4 win over UAE Pro League side Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League on Monday. The 32-year-old Brazil forward came on for the injured Nasser Al-Dawsari in the 77th minute with his team leading 5-3 thanks to Salem Al-Dawsari's hat-trick and goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Renan Lodi.

Neymar enjoyed his long-awaited return to professional football on Monday night, coming on in a second-half cameo for Al Hilal 370 days after tearing his ACL.The 32-year-old forward sustained the