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Neymar Watches Al-Hilal Beat Al-Raed As Aleksandar Mitrovic Moves Closer to Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League's Golden Boot Race

Originally posted on FanNation Futbol
By Robert Summerscales | Last updated 2/18/24

Neymar was among the crowd as Al-Hilal beat Al-Raed 3-1 on Sunday to move seven points clear of Al Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward joined Al-Hilal in August but made just five first-team appearances before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in October.

Neymar recently returned to training but he is still understood to be months away from being ready for competitive action.

Neymar visiting Al Hilal’s new stadium pic.twitter.com/2fwSInnbu2
— Neymoleque | Fan (@Neymoleque) February 18, 2024

Al-Hilal have performed excellently in Neymar's absence.

After Sunday's victory, the Riyadh side have now played 20 games in the league this season, winning 18, drawing two and losing none.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice against Al-Raed before Kalidou Koulibaly got Al-Hilal's third goal.

Two for Mitrovic to take his tally for the season to 19 in the #RoshnSaudiLeague! #yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/BCjaeJtCVM
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 18, 2024

Ex-Fulham striker Mitrovic now has 19 goals in 18 appearances in this season's Saudi Pro League.

His main rival for the Golden Boot is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 21 goals in 19 games for Al Nassr.

Al-Hilal are the most successful club in Saudi Pro League history, having been national champions 18 times, but they finished 13 points behind Al-Ittihad last season.

This article first appeared on FanNation Futbol and was syndicated with permission.

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