Neymar, the Brazilian football star, reassured fans on Monday that his recent injury was just a strong cramp. This happened during the Asian Champions League Elite match where he played for Al Hilal against Esteghlal. Neymar left the field 30 minutes after coming on as a substitute. Despite the scare, Al Hilal secured a 3-0 victory.

Neymar, 32, recently returned to action after being sidelined for a year due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. His return was marked by this cramp, which he described as “very strong” on Instagram. “I’m going to have some tests and I hope it’s nothing too serious,” he added.

Doctors had cautioned Neymar about potential muscle issues following his ACL recovery. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic. “It’s normal for this to happen after a year,” Neymar said, emphasizing the need for caution and gradually increasing his playtime.

Since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal in August last year for around €90 million ($97.90m), Neymar has played only seven games in the Saudi Pro League. This recent cramp is a reminder of the challenges athletes face in returning to peak form after significant injuries.