Neymar returned to Saudi Arabia this week as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury amid speculation he is set to join his first club Santos at the end of his contract.
The Brazilian was greeted by a delegation from club side Al Hial as well as supporters on his arrival in Riyadh, who handed the 32-year-old flowers and gifts while he signed shirts for young fans.
Neymar's return to the kingdom comes as reports by Spanish newspaper El Nacional indicate the player wants to return to his homeland when his contract expires in the summer of 2025 to join the club he joined as an 11-year-old.
His performances at Santos helped launch his career, taking him to Barcelona in 2013 where he would form part of an attacking troika alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez regarded among the best in history.
Neymar was ruled out for the season after rupturing his ACL and meniscus during a 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat to Uruguay in October.
The Brazilian joined the Saudi Pro League leaders Hilal for a reported €90 million last August, a club and league record transfer fee, signing a two-year contract said to be worth €150m per year.
Neymar managed only five appearances for Al Hilal before his season was curtailed by injury. His debut was delayed while he overcame a long-term ankle problem, making his first appearance for the club off the bench in a 6-1 win over derby rivals Al Riyadh in September.
Images released by Hilal show the former Paris Saint-Germain forward training at the club's facility.
Neymar's absence has not been overly felt on the field. Jorge Jesus' side top the Saudi Pro League table by seven points at the halfway stage.
Hilal face Iran's Sepahan in the Asian Champions League last 16, with the first leg taking place in Isfahan on Thursday with the return leg in Riyadh on February 22.
The Saudi Pro League returns to action on Thursday after a one-month hiatus for the delayed 2023 Asian Cup. Hilal's next league match is at home to Al Raed on Sunday.
Neymar leaves pitch in tears
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
EXPATS
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
