Saudi Football Maestro Returns After 388 Days: Salman Al-Faraj Rejoins Neom After ACL Comeback
5 December 2025
Return and Training Update
Saudi star Salman Al-Faraj, the midfielder who now plies his trade with Neom and previously starred for Al Hilal, was sidelined by an ACL rupture in November 2024.
Club Announcement and Signals of a Comeback
The club's official X post today confirmed his return to full training, signaling a measured comeback as the player re-joins teammates on the field. He had missed extended spells in recent years, the longest with Neom, sitting out 388 days after the cruciate ligament injury suffered on November 13, 2024.
Recent Form and Neom's Season Context
Al-Faraj joined Neom on July 28, 2024, and featured for 808 minutes in last season's Yelo League, scoring three goals and helping to secure seven wins, a draw and a solitary loss. His experience was a boost for a side chasing consistency.
Neom currently sit ninth in the Saudi Pro League table with 14 points from nine rounds, having won four, drawn twice and lost three. They are aiming to rebound as the season progresses.
Punchline 1: If comebacks were measured in goals, Salman would already be eyeing a double-digit season.
Punchline 2: ACL? More like A Comeback Legend—okay, maybe I’m biased, but the crowd disagrees with the silence of the bench.
