In mid-January,&nbsp;Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus dropped a bombshell&nbsp;about <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/neymar/">Neyma</a>r’s status at the Saudi club. Jesus revealed that the Brazilian forward would&nbsp;not be registered for the Saudi Pro League season&nbsp;and could only play in the&nbsp;Asian Champions League. But what truly grabbed headlines was Jesus’&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/al-hilal-all-but-confirms-neymars-january-exit-chicago-fire-has-ace-up-sleeve-to-steal-him-away-from-lionel-messis-inter-miami/">stinging assessment of Neymar’s physical condition</a>, suggesting that he was no longer capable of performing at the level expected.



“Neymar will not be registered in the team for the championship. He can participate in the Asian Champions League. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/saudi-pro-league/">Saudi League</a> is one of the best leagues in the world. All Al-Hilal players can play for any club in Europe. When he was about to return, he got injured again,”&nbsp;Jesus stated in an interview on January 16.



The Portuguese coach acknowledged Neymar’s talent but expressed concerns about his ability to cope with the physical demands of elite soccer.&nbsp;“He is a player who leaves no doubt, a world-class player. But the truth is that physically, Neymar can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”



For Neymar,&nbsp;his short-lived stint at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-hilal-2/">Al-Hilal</a> was marred by injuries. Having signed for the Saudi giants in the summer of 2023 for&nbsp;€90 million, the Brazilian made just&nbsp;seven appearances, scoring only once and registering three assists. His struggles were compounded by a&nbsp;ruptured ACL and damaged meniscus sustained on international duty with Brazil in November 2023, keeping him out until October 2024.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250206_WST_553696_neymar-santos-1200x675_0de63d76.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="neymar santos" class="wp-image-553700" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/06114518/neymar-santos.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



However, upon his return, he suffered another setback—a&nbsp;hamstring tear—leaving him sidelined once more. His&nbsp;contract with Al-Hilal was ultimately terminated by mutual consent, paving the way for a return to his boyhood club, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/santos/">Santos</a>, on a&nbsp;six-month deal.



<h2>Neymar’s Santos return: Statement on pitch</h2>



Fast forward to February, and Neymar&nbsp;stepped onto the pitch for the first time since his departure from Saudi Arabia, making his second debut for Santos in a Paulista A1 clash against&nbsp;Botafogo. The match ended in a&nbsp;1-1 draw, but the real story was the 33-year-old’s response to the criticism he had received from his former coach.



Neymar&nbsp;entered the game at halftime, donning the iconic&nbsp;number 10 shirt once worn by Pele. Despite still recovering from his long-term injury, he quickly became the&nbsp;most fouled player on the pitch, suffering five challenges from the opposition. He also&nbsp;took six shots and completed 22 passes, some reminiscent of his prime years.



While he couldn’t mark his return with a victory, the forward was satisfied with his performance. Speaking to reporters after the match, he subtly&nbsp;hit back at Jorge Jesus. “I’m ready to play. Of course, I won’t be able to play 90 minutes. I came from a long time out injured. I needed games,”&nbsp;Neymar said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.



However, he did not hide his frustration over his former manager’s remarks.&nbsp;“Obviously, I was very upset with Jorge Jesus’ words when he said I didn’t have the capability to play like the rest of the team.”



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<h2>Night of redemption and respect</h2>



While the match itself didn’t end in a victory for Santos,&nbsp;it was a symbolic win for Neymar. Playing&nbsp;52 minutes—the most he has managed since 2023—he exceeded even his own expectations. “I need more minutes, more matches. I am not 100%, but I didn’t expect to run as much as I did tonight. I will be much better three, four games from now,”&nbsp;Neymar stated.



His impact on the game was clear, as&nbsp;even players from the opposing team rushed to take photos with him after the final whistle. “I left here at age 21, traveled the world, and made history at the clubs I played for,”&nbsp;Neymar reflected.&nbsp;“This [taking pictures with rivals] is the respect I get back home.”

Fury unleashed – Neymar criticizes his former Al-Hilal coach on second Santos debut: ‘Very upset’

Fury unleashed – Neymar criticizes his former Al-Hilal coach on second Santos debut: 'Very upset' - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

One coach in the Saudi Pro League has hit back at Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, throwing shade at the Eredivisie in the process. Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus is now in his second season during his second stint with the Saudi club. Last year, he guided the side to an undefeated campaign in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a>. Therefore, he is standing up for the league after Ronald Koeman said the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/koeman-changed-tones-on-transfers-speaking-about-depay/">Brazilian top flight is better than the Saudi</a> top division. Jorge Jesus took it one step further to attack the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/eredivisie-tv-schedule/">Eredivisie</a>, which he claimed is a worse league than the Saudi Pro League.



“Eredivisie is one of the weakest leagues in Europe,” Jorge Jesus <a href="https://portugoal.net/portuguese-abroad/4159-theres-no-comparison-between-saudi-and-portuguese-leagues-al-hilal-boss-jorge-jesus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>. “Koeman is in no position to make that kind of statement because he doesn’t know about the [Saudi Pro League]. There is no comparison. The SPL is stronger than Eredivisie.”



In recent seasons, the Saudi Pro League has made strides to bolster its soccer standing. That centers around bringing in stars from Europe, many past their primes. Consequently, clubs like Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad have benefited. Al Hilal and Jorge Jesus have brought in players like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/al-hilal-to-exclude-neymar-until-january-what-does-future-hold/">Neymar</a>, Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly in the last two seasons. Jorge Jesus would argue the talent in the Eredivisie is not as strong, citing its reputation as a selling league to other European elites.



In fairness, Koeman did not comment on the Eredivisie when speaking about the Saudi Pro League. The Dutch head coach did, however, call seven players from the Eredivisie into his most recent squad during the September international break. Those seven players came from four clubs within the Dutch top flight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240928_WST_532079_Koeman-Saudi-1200x675_ae933ffc.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-532105" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Koeman-Saudi-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Koeman-Saudi-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Koeman-Saudi-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Koeman-Saudi-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Koeman-Saudi.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Comparing the Saudi Pro League and the Eredivisie</h2>



The argument in favor of the Saudi Pro League comes from the list of talent. In addition to the players on Al Hilal, the Saudi Pro League boasts the likes of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ronaldo-targets-al-nassr-reunion-with-ex-real-madrid-boss/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney. Again, though these top talents are predominantly on the teams at the top of the table.



Holistically, it is challenging to compare leagues. The Opta World Rankings at least provide a means of comparison between international divisions. Earlier in 2024, Opta ranked the Eredivisie as the 15th strongest league in the world. That is below the likes of the Brasileirao, Liga MX and even Major League Soccer. By comparison, the Saudi Pro League was down to 26th in the world. It is between the top flights from Cyprus and Czechia, for reference.



In Jorge Jesus’s defense, some of the top teams in the Saudi Pro League are on the same level as those in the Eredivisie. His Al Hilal side is in the same area of the Opta Power Rankings as PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord. Al Nassr is also part of the top 100 clubs in the world based on current form. Yet, those Saudi sides are playing against teams far below the bottom teams in the Eredivisie, which hurts the overall balance of the league.



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Saudi Pro League boss claims league surpasses the Eredivisie

One coach in the Saudi Pro League has hit back at Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, throwing shade at the Eredivisie in the process.

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Fury unleashed – Neymar criticizes his former Al-Hilal coach on second Santos debut: ‘Very upset’

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Saudi Pro League boss claims league surpasses the Eredivisie