Neymar had to wipe away tears as he talked about the year he missed playing because of an injury. He is almost ready to make his long-awaited return.

The Brazilian quit football in Europe last summer when he made the shocking £78 million move to the Saudi Pro League.

His dreams of making a big difference for his new team were dashed, though, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for his country in October of last year.

The Brazilian is finally fully better and is back working with the first team.

Along with the rest of the Al-Hilal team, he will go with them to UAE Pro League club Al-Ain on Monday for the Asian Champions League.

On the NR Sports YouTube channel, he talked about the past year and said, “I felt a huge pain.” At that moment, I knew it was awful.   

“Playing football is what I want most in life.” Every day I’ve been away from the game, I’ve been hurt. This is the worst thing for me,

“My family, friends, and football are the most important things in my life right now.” Everyone who has hurt me has helped me get better. I don’t go back half way, though. 

Before he got hurt, he played five times for Al-Hilal and scored one goal and set up three others.  

His deal with Al-Hilal is set to end next year, but they can stretch it for another year if they want to.     

The winger made a name for himself at Santos. He had been in their youth program before making it to the first team.

He played 140 times and scored 72 goals. With the club, he won six big awards, including the Copa Libertadores in 2011.

He was so good that Barcelona bought him in 2013 and helped them win La Liga twice and the Champions League. Four years later, PSG paid £198 million for him, making him the most expensive player in the world.

In the past few years, Neymar has been hurt a lot, and it might be hard for the Brazilian to come back from a long layoff at the end of his career. He seems set on showing that he still has something to offer, though.