Jorge Jesus' Al Hilal future in the balance as Neymar denies rift

Seven games into the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season and only Al Hilal remain unbeaten, sitting second in the table a point behind leaders Al Ittihad.

Such form would normally be a cause for optimism, instead the nagging sense is that Al Hilal are a team failing to function.

An exceptional summer of recruitment kicked off with the signing of Ruben Neves from Wolves and culminated in the purchase of Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain. Both were signed for club and league record fees.

While there was disappointment in the King Salman Cup – Hilal lost the final to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in extra time – the 'Blue Power' chalked up four wins in five league games before September's international break, including a famous comeback to defeat Al Ittihad 4-3 in the Saudi Clasico.

Neymar's return to action for Brazil, where two goals saw him surpass the legendary Pele as his country's all-time record scorer, paved the way for the mercurial forward to return to Saudi Arabia to help spearhead its most decorated club to challenge on all fronts.

The 31-year-old had been unveiled to the Hilal faithful to much fanfare in August but a long-term ankle injury had delayed his debut. When it came, off the bench in a 6-1 thrashing of Al Riyadh, there was a party atmosphere as the former Barcelona star dazzled in a 30-minute cameo.

By the time Neymar was ready to make his full debut expectations were sky high. Few questioned the wisdom of trying to shoehorn Neymar into a forward line scoring goals for fun.

A home fixture in the AFC Champions League against debutants Navbahor from Uzbekistan was supposed to be a stroll in the park for the four-time continental champions. Instead, Jorge Jesus’s men had to be rescued by a header from defender