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Tag: neymar

  • Neymar overtakes Pele’s goals record in win over Bolivia

    Neymar overtakes Pele’s goals record in win over Bolivia

    Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil’s male all-time top scorer with two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia.

    The forward, 31, who went into the World Cup qualifying match tied with legend Pele on 77 goals, missed a penalty before scoring twice in the second half on his 125th appearance.

    “I never imagined reaching this record. I’m no better than Pele or any other player for the national team,” he said.

    Marta has scored a record 122 goals in 189 matches for Brazil’s women’s team.

    Read Also:Neymar: ‘Saudi Pro League is potentially better than Ligue 1’

    Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goals in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971. He was widely regarded to be one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game.

    Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said: “He came to do what he did: have fun, score two goals and break the record.”

    Neymar became the world’s most expensive player when he joined Paris St-Germain from Barcelona for £200m in 2017.

    He left the French side in the summer to join Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal.

    “He is a very big idol, people must recognise him and accept him,” Diniz added.

  • Neymar: ‘Saudi Pro League is potentially better than Ligue 1’

    Neymar: ‘Saudi Pro League is potentially better than Ligue 1’

    Neymar has claimed that the Saudi Pro League is “maybe” now better than Ligue 1 due to the volume of top-quality players attracted to the division during the recent transfer window.

    Neymar has joined Bono, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom at the club, who are currently top of the Saudi Pro League with 13 points to show from their first five matches.

    Jorge Jesus’s side recorded a standout 4-3 victory over the reigning champions Al-Ittihad last time out, with Mitrovic scoring a hat-trick in Jeddah.

    Neymar is yet to make his debut for Al-Hilal due to injury, but he has been forced to defend his switch to the Saudi outfit and claimed that the top division is “maybe” now better than Ligue 1.

    Read Also: Day Buhari graced Katsina Polo Festival

    “Football is the same there, the ball is round, like everywhere else. Given the big names that make up the league, maybe this league is better than Ligue 1,” L’Equipe quotes Neymar as saying. The training sessions are intense. I am hungry for titles, and I want to win with Al-Hilal. What people say doesn’t matter to me.”

     They said that Ligue 1 was weak, but I suffered the most there. [The Saudi league] is going to be interesting and I’m sure you’re going to watch it.”

    Neymar has not played since February due to an ankle injury, but he is with the Brazil squad preparing for two World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.

    “I feel well, happy, but obviously I am not 100% fit. But my head is well, my body is well,” the attacker said when asked about his fitness situation.

  • Neymar, Benzema set for Asian Champions League

    Neymar, Benzema set for Asian Champions League

    Saudi Pro League superstar Neymar will get his first taste of Asian Champions League football after last season’s runners-up Al-Hilal were drawn against Iran’s Nassaji Mazandaran FC, Mumbai City FC of India and Uzbekistan’s Navbahor in the group stage yesterday.

    Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema will also debut in the group stage of Asia’s premier club football competition, where they will seek to power their clubs to victory against sides from central to east Asia.

    With billions of dollars in oil wealth, Saudi Arabia has been on a buying spree of sports assets as part of plans to diversify its economy and attract tourism and investment.

    Al-Hilal leads the AFC Champions League for most title wins, with four to its name.

    With the flamboyant Brazilian playmaker in their ranks for the 2023/2024 season; Al-Hilal hoped to win the title for a record fifth time.

    Read Also: NPFL: Minister enjoins referees to be fair, firm

    Al-Nassr, semi-finalists in the 2020 and 2021 editions, will play Iran’s Persepolis FC, Al-Duhail SC of Qatar and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol.

    Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad will have their sights set on a first Asian Champions League title since winning back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005 after securing the services of French stars Benzema and N’Golo Kante.

    They will take on Iran’s Sepahan SC, Air Force Club of Iraq and Uzbekistan’s AGMK FC.

    Defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, bidding for the title from the competition’s eastern division, will face China’s Wuhan Three Towns FC, Pohang Steelers of South Korea and Vietnam’s Hanoi FC.

    After the draw at the Asian Football Confederation headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, secretary-general Windsor John said all of the qualified teams faced tough ties across the competition.

     “No easy matches,” he told AFP, adding that “a video assistant referee (VAR) system will be introduced from the group stage”.

    The group stage will run from September 18 to December 13, with the knockout stage to kick off on February 12 while the two-leg final will be played on May 11 and 18, 2024.

  • Embattled Neymar to face Super Eagles in Singapore friendly

     

    Want away PSG Star and Brazil international Neymar is among top Seleção players expected to battle Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly October 13 in Singapore.

    The Brazilian Football Confederation has confirmed the tie which will be second major meeting between the two continental power houses.

    Super Eagles eyeing another friendly

    The first was at the opening of the Abuja Stadium in 2003 which saw the South Americans and 5-time world cup winners run away with 3-0 victory in front of a capacity crowd.  Goals from Gil, Luís Fabiano and Adriano separated the Brazilians from their Nigerian counter parts.

    Despite the loss however Nigeria’s midfield maestro Austin jay Jay Okocha thrilled some home fans with his usual impressive moves just like Ronaldinho was the toast of many fans.

    Neymar has in recent time been at logger heads with the French ligue 1 side following his desire to return to former club Barcelona.

    But the 27 year old who some say performed below par at the last world cup in Russia remains a key player in the national team.

    Other top players expected to feature prominently in Coach Tite’s squad include Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. The Eagles are however not the only ones to battle the Brazilians in Singapore as the Brazilian

    The Seleção of Brazil

    Football Federation has reportedly concluded arrangement to play 2019 Nations cup finalists Teranga Lions of Senegal three days earlier at the same venue.

    Coordinator of the Brazilian National team Juninho Paulista said they chose to play Nigeria and Senegal and of the best teams in Africa and in line with the decision of the technical commission to settle for the top 50 on FIFA ranking

    ”It was a wish of the Technical Commission, so we went after these opponents”.

    The choice of Nigeria meets the proposal, established between the CBF summit and the Brazilian National Technical Commission, to play against top 50 opponents in the FIFA ranking,” he submitted

  • Barcelona set to dump Neymar interest for Kylian Mbappe

     

    Barcelona are reportedly considering dropping their interest in Neymar to pursue the Brazil international’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.

    Neymar was strongly linked with a return to Camp Nou during the summer transfer window, but the Spanish champions could not come to an agreement with PSG in terms of a transfer figure.

    Barca have recently revealed that they are still interested in signing the South American, who starred at the club between 2013 and 2017 ahead of a surprise move to Paris.

    Barcelona return fading away for Neymar

    However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Ernesto Valverde’s side could be ready to switch their attention to Mbappe, who is being tipped to leave the French capital at the end of the season.

    Real Madrid are also being strongly linked with the France international, though, as Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is said to be desperate to work with the attacker at the Bernabeu.

    The 20-year-old, who has a contract with PSG until 2022, has scored 62 times in 91 appearances for his current club in all competitions – including twice in four outings this season.

    Mbappe was in superlative form at the 2018 World cup in Russia contributing in no small measures as Les Blues defeated Croatia 4-2 in the finals to clinch the world cup for the for the second time coming 20 years after the won the first one in 1998.

     

     

     

  • Too High for Comfort! Barcelona dumps Neymar pursuit

     

    Spanish La liga giants Barcelona have reportedly dropped their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar.

    The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a return to Camp Nou during this summer’s transfer window, while Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest.

    On Thursday, reports in Italy had claimed that Barca and PSG had come to an agreement over a deal for the South American, although the Catalan giants allegedly insisted that was not the case.

    According to Mundo Deportivo, PSG wanted Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic and Jean-Clair Todibo plus a “significant” cash sum in exchange for Neymar ahead of Monday’s European transfer deadline.

    Is it a closed case for Nou camp return?

    The report claims that Barca came back with a counter offer which was ultimately rejected, meaning that Ernesto Valverde’s  side have now pulled out of the hunt to bring the 27-year-old back to Spain this summer.

    The former Santos youngster has scored 51 times in 58 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side but is yet to feature in the early stages of this season amid the speculation surrounding his future.

    Both Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and PSG counterpart Nasser Al-Khelaifi were in Monaco on Thursday night for the Champions League group-stage draw.

  • Barca management in last push for Neymar return to Nou Camp

     

    Members of Barcelona’s board have travelled to Paris to try to settle a deal to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp.

    Barcelona club president Josep Bartomeu and sporting director Eric Abidal both made the journey to Paris Saint-Germain’s headquarters on Tuesday.

    The La Liga giants want to bring the Brazilian star back to Barcelona and are preparing a final bid for him.

    Barcelona have already made a bid to PSG to get Neymar on loan with a £155million offer to buy next summer.

    PSG have dismissed that and are now wanting a deal that includes £90m (€100m) plus Ousmane Dembele and Nelson Semedo.

    The French champions believe that would be satisfactory but Barcelona are unlikely to want to part with two first-team players.

    PSG are reluctant to sell Neymar given they would only have until Monday’s continental deadline to replace him before waiting until January to trade again.

    Barca  boss  Bartomeu wants  Neymar back

    Qatar Sports Investments, PSG’s owners, would see the sale of Neymar as a major blow and a major political defeat two years after bringing him to Paris.

    Neymar was supposed to be PSG’s final piece in a Champions League-winning puzzle.

    There is also further concern with Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe currently unavailable due to injury.

    There is a clear motivation from Barcelona’s side to sign the 27-year-old not least because Lionel Messi and him are close friends. There is also a frustration among Barcelona’s players that a deal for Neymar hasn’t been concluded sooner.

    Having Neymar in a side that already boasts attacking stars such as Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann would also strengthen Barcelona’s chances in this year’s Champions League.

    Bartomeu has two years remaining as president and desperately wants to end his reign by adding another Champions League crown to the one won under his watch in 2015 – the last time Barcelona ruled Europe.

    Reports in Spain on Tuesday also suggest that Real Madrid are monitoring the situation closely but don’t want to get drawn into a transfer battle with Barcelona.

    Sport reports that Real could be preparing a ‘super offer’ for Neymar while AS have the player pictured on a pile of cash to illustrate both Spanish clubs’ pursuit of him.

  • Neymar wants to work with Hazard

    Neymar has revealed that Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is the player he would like to work alongside – saying the two could ‘wreak havoc’ together.

    Both players have been linked with huge transfers to Real Madrid this season – as Los Blancos prepare to embark on a summer squad overhaul following a disappointing campaign.

    Zinedine Zidane has returned to the managerial hot-seat and is poised to run the rule over the Madrid squad, with both Neymar and Hazard reportedly on his shopping list. And the 27-year-old Brazil star has revealed he is open to playing alongside the Belgian playmaker.

    ‘I would like to play with Hazard. He has a style similar to mine,’ Neymar told Fox Sports, as quoted by Goal.

    “I think I could give it a try. We would cause havoc together.”

    Neymar finally returned to action for PSG against Monaco last weekend following a recurrence of a metatarsal injury.

    The injury, suffered against Strasbourg in January, ruled him out of his side’s ill-fated Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United, but they have gone on to retain the Ligue 1 title and reach the French Cup final in his absence.

    The Brazilian has appeared in only 50 of 105 possible matches since signing from Barcelona for a record £198million, a move that hasn’t yet proven it’s worth.

    Neymar left behind a potent strike partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and he admitted it was not easy to leave Catalonia.

    “Barcelona is a club that has always fascinated me, and I still love it today. But at that time I wanted to try something new and that’s why I decided to leave,” the 27-year-old added.

  • UEFA charges Neymar for “insulting’’ referee after PSG’s loss to Manchester United

    Paris St-Germain (PSG) forward Neymar has been charged for “insulting and/or molesting” the referee, European football governing body UEFA said on Friday.

    UEFA said the charge was in the wake of his post-game rant after the French side were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League last 16 by Manchester United.

    Neymar, who was sidelined by injury, was investigated for lashing out and labelling the video assistant referee (VAR) system a “disgrace”.

    This was after Manchester United won a controversial penalty kick in the dying stages to advance on away goals.

    READ ALSO: Neymar to Miss Champions League clash against United

    “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between PSG and Manchester United FC (1-3), played on March 6 in France,” UEFA said in a statement.

    “Player Neymar Junior —- insulting/molesting acts against match official (statements made by the player following the above-mentioned match) – Art. 15 (1) (d) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.”

    If the Brazilian is found guilty, he could be suspended for three matches in the competition for insulting match officials.

    UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will look into the case and a date for the hearing is yet to be confirmed.

    PSG coach Thomas Tuchel had said after the game that he understood Neymar’s anger and defended his comments, saying they were made in the heat of the moment.

    NAN

  • Lionel Messi a special friend, rare breed, says Neymar

     

    Neymar has spoken of his admiration for former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, who he says gave him support when he needed it most.

    The Brazilian, who has since moved on to Paris Saint-Germain, struggled to hold back the tears as he praised Messi for his help during a tough period in his life.

    ‘It’s a story I tell everyone,’ he said in an interview with Globo Esporte.

    ‘At the time, when I needed the most support, the man on the team, the best in the world, came and gave me love.

    ‘He talked to me and said: “Come here, you must be yourself, you must be happy and the same as in Santos. Do not be shy, do not be afraid of me or anyone in this club. We are here to help you”.’

    Neymar has been consistently linked with a move back to the Nou Camp, given his strong friendship with members of the Barcelona squad.

    When queried once more about the potential of a return, the 27-year-old refused to rule it out and reiterated how much his friendship with Messi means to him.    

    ‘It’s difficult, it’s difficult,’ Neymar said. ‘To be honest, it is very difficult because Leo was a very special guy for me at Barcelona.

    Since leaving for Paris in 2017, Neymar has netted 48 goals in 53 matches, but is currently sidelined with a broken foot.

    PSG are 17 points clear with a game in hand at the top of Ligue 1, while it is much the same for Barcelona in the Spanish top flight.

    The Catalans are seven clear of Atletico Madrid in second, while Real Madrid languishes in third, nine points off top.