Analyzing Neymar's First Few Matches in Saudi Arabia

The Brazilian national team suffered a dismal October international break, drawing 1-1 at home to Venezuela before falling to a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in World Cup Qualifying. This loss would also see Neymar leave the pitch in a stretcher after suffering an ACL tear. His season is effectively over, with the ex-Barcelona man set to spend the next eight months on the treatment tables.

Whilst they still boast a wealth of star names like Kalidou Koulibaly and Aleksandr Mitrovic, Neymar's absence is a massive blow for Saudi club Al-Hilal, who are looking to retain first place in the Saudi Professional League as well as wrestle the AFC Champions League crown back after losing to Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds in the final last season.

Up to now, Neymar has featured in 5 games wearing the jersey of the Blue Waves, with 386 minutes in total. He has contributed 4 goals during this period, scoring 1 in the continental tournament and providing 3 assists in the league, which averages around 1 goal involvement every 96.5 minutes. In the SPL, Neymar had 3.7 shots per game (1.3 on target). He has been able to provide 4 big chances in total and create 3.3 key passes per game. In addition to 29 accurate passes per match with 88% of completion, and 3 long passes per match with 100% of completion.

Defensively speaking, the superstar has contributed with 0.7 tackles, 0.3 possession won, and 0.7 balls recovered per game, and he got dribbled past in 0.7 times per 90 minutes. In terms of dribbling, he has had 0.3 successful take-ons (11% completions), 2.3 total duels won (30%), with 9.7 possession lost, 0.7 fouls committed and 1.3 fouls conceded, all per game.