The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Paris Saint-Germain

  • Di Maria unveils new tattoo ahead Nice clash

     

    Angel di Maria is clearly proud of his roots and he paid homage to them permanently on Thursday.

    The Argentina flyer has had a leg tattoo depicting his childhood.

    The artwork which is situated on his right calf features his childhood home in Rosario’s district of Perdriel, a football and the Argentina flag.

    Di Maria was clearly delighted with his new ink by accompanying his Instagram story with the caption: ‘My history on my skin!!!’ once it was completed.

    The 30-year-old incorporated the smiley face emoji as well as he thanked his compatriot and tattooist @arturholykoi on his social media platform.

    Di Maria will be hoping to celebrate his new tattoo with a goal and victory when Paris Saint-Germain visit Nice in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

    Paris Saint-Germain’s defeat away to Nice late last season ended their hopes of winning the league. However, this time, PSG heads south to Nice with a huge lead at the top of the table and within touching distance of a fifth title in six seasons.

    Unai Emery’s side are 17 points clear of defending champion Monaco, albeit having played a game more, and it seems only a matter of time before the league is wrapped up.

    But Nice are hard to beat at home, even more so when PSG are visiting. The French giants were hassled, harried and out-fought during last season’s 3-1 defeat in late April.

    Lucien Favre’s side are in seventh place this season, but pushing Rennes and Nantes hard to finish in fifth and seal a potential spot in next season’s Europa League.

  • Neymar shows off heavily-strapped ankle

    Neymar shows off heavily-strapped ankle

     

    Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola admits he is worried about the severity of Neymar’s injury after the Brazilian appeared to twist his ankle on Sunday.

    Neymar rolled his ankle with 14 minutes remaining of PSG’s 3-0 win over Marseille in Le Classique and had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

    The 26-year-old appeared in severe distress as he was brought off the field but his manager Unai Emery insisted he wasn’t overly concerned, saying the club were hopeful the injury was ‘nothing serious’.

    But Neymar’s team-mate Areola was not as confident, telling reporters via FourFourTwo: ‘Of course, I’m worried about Neymar. His ankle was pretty swollen.

    ‘He is an important player for us and I hope he will come back soon. I do not know much more, there were a lot of people around him.’

    The former Barcelona man took to Instagram in the early hours of Monday morning to show off his heavily strapped right ankle as he looks to make a speedy recovery.

    PSG face Marseille again on Wednesday night in the French Cup quarter-final before a trip to Troyes on Saturday precedes the visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 second leg on March 6.

    The Madrid tie, which PSG trail 3-1 after the first leg in the Bernabeu, represents the most important game of their season so far with success in Europe likely to define Emery’s reign as manager.

    Neymar’s injury overshadowed a comfortable victory for PSG at the Parc des Princes as they emerged 3-0 winners over their fierce rivals.

    Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane is praying for Neymar to be fit just in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League re-match of March 6.

    While the absence of Neymar would undoubtedly weaken PSG’s star-studded attack, Zidane whose Madrid side lead 3-1 from the first leg ahead of the return tie in Paris expressed a desire for the Brazil star to play.

    “No, I don’t like it when players get injured,” Zidane told reporters on Monday at a news conference ahead of Madrid’s LaLiga trip to Espanyol on Tuesday.

    “I’m not happy if Neymar is injured. Hopefully he can play. I’m never going to want an opposing player to get injured.

    “I do not think it influences next week’s game. There will always be a player who plays if it’s not him.

    “I did not like it when he got injured, I was watching the game. I don’t think everything revolves around Neymar, but I hope it’s nothing serious.”

     

     

  • Neymar in fitness race for Le Classique

    Neymar in fitness race for Le Classique

     

    Neymar has come down with illness ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s fixture with Marseille in Ligue 1 this weekend.

    The Brazilian – a world-record signing at the start of the season – has been instrumental in PSG’s dominance in Ligue 1 this term; although he was sent off in October’s 2-2 draw at the Stade Velodrome.

    A virus now has Neymar facing a race against time to be available for the reverse fixture against Marseille, having missed training alongside midfield star Marco Verratti, who is suffering from abdominal pain.

    “Two players were missing, Verratti and Neymar,” Unai Emery told a pre-match news conference on Friday. “[Stanley] Nsoki, with a knock to the knee, was also missing.

    “Verratti trained with the physio, as he has from the beginning of the week. He does not feel 100 per cent right.

    “Neymar is sick. Lass [Diarra] was sick [on Thursday], a little fever, but he was here today. I hope it will be the same for Neymar.”

    Emery insists that his side will be ready for the visit of Marseille, having drawn criticism for their performance in the away fixture.

    “They are all aware of the importance of this game,” he added. “I think all players are aware it’s a different game. In Spain, I watched this game.

    “Kylian [Mbappe] is very smart, he is in a process of growing up. Every game is about progress. I believe he is on the right path.”

    However, Emery again expects a hard-fought match against Rudi Garcia’s men.

    “[Dimitri] Payet and [Florian] Thauvin are playing well,” he said. “Marseille are playing well. They caused us trouble last time.”

    Meanwhile World Soccer ruling body FIFA has dumped the Neymar’s Barcelona bonus case. The Brazil forward completed a world-record €222million move from Barca to PSG in August after the Ligue 1 giants sensationally met his release clause.

    Neymar claims he is still entitled to a €30m renewal bonus after signing a contract extension at Camp Nou until 2021, although Barca maintain that terms of that agreement were breached when the 26-year-old joined PSG.

    FIFA has confirmed they will step away from the dispute after legal action was taken elsewhere over the same complaint.

    A statement released to Omnisport by world football’s governing body read: “After having been made aware that, apparently, the same matter had been submitted in parallel before different jurisdictions by the same party, the FIFA administration informed the parties to the dispute that based on the long-standing and well-established jurisprudence of FIFA’s deciding bodies, it did not seem to be in a position to continue with the investigation of the affair.

    “The proceedings were therefore closed for formal reasons.”Neymar has impressed at PSG this season, scoring 28 goals in 29 appearances for Unai Emery’s side.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • PSG show off ahead of tie against Real Madrid

    PSG show off ahead of tie against Real Madrid

     

    Paris Saint-Germain will arrive for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid in some style as the Ligue 1 giants showed off the customised aeroplane they will be flying in on their journey to the Spanish capital.

    The special aeroplane includes huge images of some of the club’s major stars across the chassis and is coated with a splash of PSG red and blue.

    Neymar features in the centre alongside the club’s all-time record goalscorer Edinson Cavani while Kylian Mbappe is on the far left.

    Marco Verratti, Marquinhos and Adrien Rabiot make up the remaining PSG stars included on the Emirates aeroplane, who sponsor the Ligue 1 side.

    The club proudly showed off the image on their Instagram account as the team prepared to face the holders at the Bernabeu in their last-16 tie.

    Neymar scored the only goal of the game on Friday night as PSG beat Toulouse 1-0 last time out to go 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

    The Brazilian’s preparation for the Madrid clash included a visit to a tattoo parlour on Monday as he got inked with some Champions League-themed artwork.

    The world-record £198million star received a tattoo paying homage to his Champions League success in 2015 with former team Barcelona.

    Madrid meanwhile warmed up for the PSG tie with a 5-2 rout of Real Sociedad on Saturday evening with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a hat-trick.

    Unai Emery’s side had topped a Champions League group featuring Bayern Munich to qualify for the knockout stages while defending champions Madrid finished second behind Tottenham in Group H.

    Reports in Spain suggest Neymar could make a move to Madrid in the future and current Real player Marcelo talked up the chances of his compatriot joining him.

    I think Neymar will play for Real Madrid one day,’ Marcelo told Esporte Interativo. ‘Would Neymar fit at Real Madrid? He would fit, for sure.

    ‘It would be great if he came to Real Madrid. ‘In my opinion the great players have to play at this club.’

  • FIFA receives Atletico complaint over Griezmann approach

    FIFA receives Atletico complaint over Griezmann approach

    Football ruling body FIFA has confirmed receiving a complaint from Atletico Madrid who say Spanish league leaders FC Barcelona have illegally contacted their forward Antoine Griezmann.

    “We have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid about Griezmann’s case,’’ a FIFA spokesman told newsmen on Wednesday, without commenting further on the case.

    The 26-year-old Frenchman Griezmann renewed his contract at Atletico in summer until 2022.

    According to FIFA rules, he cannot be approached by interested clubs until the final six months of his contract.

    Read also: FIFA Rates Super Falcons World 37th Best Team

    Spanish news reports said Atletico have proof that Griezmann has been contacted by Barca over a possible transfer.

    Reports also said that Atletico were not seeking compensation or requesting sanctions for FC Barcelona, ​​but wanted to bring the matter to the attention of the football ruling body.

    Griezmann, who came to Atletico in 2014, has been linked with several top clubs, including Manchester United.

    His release sum was halved to 100 million Euros (118 million dollars) on September 1.

    At Barca, he can fill the void Neymar left in summer when he moved on to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee of 222 million Euros.

    NAN

  • Neymar set for PSG return against Anderlecht

    Neymar set for PSG return against Anderlecht

     

    Paris Saint Germain didn’t miss Neymar last Friday when they swept aside Nice with a 3-0 win as the world’s most expensive player served a one match suspension.

    The Brazil striker will be fresh and raring to go when he returns to the first-team line-up against Belgian side Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    Neymar’s side need one more victory to book their place in the last 16 of the tournament. Three points on Tuesday would see them progress with two group games to spare.

    PSG ran out 4-0 winners in Belgium on October 18, with Neymar joined by Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria on the scoresheet.

    And it was Cavani who relished being centre stage without Neymar on Friday as PSG surged to a 3-0 win over Mario Balotelli’s Nice side.

    There was a moment in the first-half where strikers Cavani and Balotelli momentarily squared up to each other but tempers did not boil over into any unsavoury scenes.

    The Uruguay forward scored twice in the first half to propel PSG into a strong lead before a Dani Alves effort sealed all three points.

    Neymar was absent due to the red card he received in PSG’s previous domestic fixture, a 2-2 draw at Marseille, for two bookable offences.

    After joining PSG for £198m from Barcelona in the summer, Neymar has scored 10 times in 11 appearances for the French club.

    As well as being three points clear atop Group B in the Champions League, PSG are four points ahead of second-place Monaco in Ligue 1 with a tally of 29 from 11 matches.

     

     

     

     

  • No more war with Neymar declares Cavani

    No more war with Neymar declares Cavani

     

     

    Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani insists his row with Neymar over penalty duties has been settled.

    Brazil star Neymar became embroiled in an on-pitch argument with Cavani over who would take a spot-kick in the 2-0 Ligue 1 victory over Lyon last month.

    It was reported that PSG offered Cavani a €1million bonus to forgo penalties in future, while there were even suggestions Neymar demanded the Uruguay international be sold in the wake of the disagreement.

    The duo appeared to have put any animosity behind them on Saturday as they inspired a 6-2 thrashing of Bordeaux, during which Neymar was congratulated by Cavani after converting from the spot.

    The former Napoli forward claims the issue was blown out of proportion and has now been put behind them.

    Speaking ahead of Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on Thursday, he said: “It’s part of football. They’re things that sometimes get amplified to something much bigger than they really are.

    “They get settled in the dressing room. Everything has a solution. It’s all fine now.

    “The important thing is that we’re fighting for the same goal.

    Teammate Unai Emery had earlier appealed to the two players to bury the hatchet and forge ahead to avoid derailing the team’s desire shine in the season.

    “I have told them to sort it out between themselves,” the Spaniard declared during his postmatch news conference. “I think that they are capable of doing that and that they will both be our kickers.

    “If they cannot reach an agreement, I will decide for them. I do not want this to become a problem for us.”

    PSG have won all six of their opening Ligue 1 matches and are three points clear at the summit of Le Championnat after a pair of own goals secured them all three points against Lyon.

  • Neymar watches as Cavani and Pastore seal win

    Neymar watches as Cavani and Pastore seal win

     

    Neymar watched from the stands as Paris Saint-Germain battled to a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Amiens in their Ligue 1 opener at the Parc des Princes.

    World-record signing Neymar was presented to supporters prior to the match amid a party atmosphere and sat alongside his father.

    Adrien Rabiot headed against the woodwork for PSG, before Edinson Cavani scored the opener shortly before half-time, converting Dani Alves’ cross.

    PSG took their time to put the result beyond doubt, but Javier Pastore’s late clincher ensured they joined defending champions Monaco in starting with a victory as Amiens, playing their first-ever Ligue 1 game after winning back-to-back promotions, offered little attacking threat.

    The hosts started on top and created good early opportunities without testing away goalkeeper Regis Gurtner.

    First, Rabiot and Angel Di Maria combined to set up Cavani, but the striker who netted 49 goals in all competitions last season shot wide of the near post.

    Amiens defender Issa Cissokho then escaped punishment after PSG claimed he had handled in the box, before the hosts wasted a glorious chance to take the lead.

    From a clever corner routine, Dani Alves’ shot deflected into the path of Rabiot, who could only send his header against the angle of post and bar from a yard out.

    After Rabiot had finally tested Gurtner for the first time, PSG moved in front three minutes before the break.

    Alves was the creator, crossing for Cavani from the right, with the striker turning defender Prince-Desir Gouano and finding the corner with a low left-footed finish from eight yards, bringing an applauding Neymar to his feet.

    After PSG brought on Presnel Kimpembe for an injured Thiago Silva at half-time, Di Maria’s volley was kept out by Gurtner in the first chance of the second half.

    Di Maria should have scored soon after, but he chipped wide after being slipped through on goal by Cavani.

    Amiens’ only attempt on target came after the hour mark, Seybou Koita forcing a save from Alphonse Areola, but PSG were always looking comfortable despite their narrow lead.

    Cavani then shot straight at Gurtner from Pastore’s pass as PSG looked to make sure of the three points.

    And victory was finally sealed with 10 minutes remaining, Marco Verratti’s throughball releasing Cavani, who squared for Pastore – the man who vacated the number 10 shirt for Neymar – to fire home.

  • Hello this is Neymar: Behold my new shirt!

    Hello this is Neymar: Behold my new shirt!

     

    Neymar has been unveiled by new club Paris Saint-Germain following his world-record £198million move, saying he wanted a ‘new challenge’.

    The Brazil striker has swapped Barcelona for Paris in a record-smashing deal – he cost over £100m more than the previous most expensive transfer – and has signed a £500,000-a-week, five-year contract.

    Neymar said he had not been sure over his future for a long time but had been convinced to move by the other Brazilian players at PSG. He also said he had not moved in order to be the biggest star at the club, although he did not give an exact reason for wanting to leave Barcelona.

    At a press conference held on Friday, Neymar said: ‘The club has a very similar ambition to mine, I want a bigger challenge. My heart made this decision, that is why I am in front of you today to help this team.

    ‘Being a star did not impact my decision, it is down to me wanting to find a new challenge. I am looking for something new. This is what PSG want, and they deserve it.

    ‘I leave a lot of very good friends behind, but that’s football. You make friends wherever you go, and that’s the main thing. It was the right time to leave and look for something different. Being the most expensive player is not a burden, I am happy.

    ‘I spoke with Brazilian players here at PSG, and they were happy for me to be here. I feel like I am at home already.’

    Neymar said he was saddened by criticism from some Barca fans after deciding to leave and that while he respected the Catalan giants he had the right to seek a new challenge.

    ‘Two days ago I informed the coach, he was the first to know, I respect the club and the coach,’ he said. ‘I am very happy with my decision, I am excited.

    ‘I’ve done nothing bad, I never lack respect to the fans, I think every player should be allowed to stay or leave a club. When a player thinks it is right to leave, they should be able to leave.’

    Neymar also said he was motivated by playing for the PSG ‘project’, rather than being tempted by any individual players, which he was when he joined Barca from Santos.

    ‘I signed for Barcelona and one of the main things was to play with (Lionel) Messi,’ he said. ‘Here it is the club, the PSG project, all the members of the team.

  • Barca to Neymar: PSG must bring €222m or no deal

    Barca to Neymar: PSG must bring €222m or no deal

     

    Barcelona have told Neymar and his representatives that his €222million release clause must be paid in full to complete the Brazil superstar’s prospective world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

    The 25-year-old’s blockbusting move to the French capital gathered pace on Wednesday, as Barca revealed the forward was granted permission to miss training by head coach Ernesto Valverde.

    Neymar did arrive at Barca’s Circutat Esportiva Joan Gamper complex to inform his team-mates of his intention to leave the club and Barca later confirmed the player and his father were part of a delegation that delivered a similar message to the club hierarchy.

    “The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the club in a meeting held at the club’s offices,” a club statement read.

    “Faced with this position, the club has informed them they [must] refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which, as of July 1 totals €222million which will have to be deposited in its entirety.”

    The statement added: “The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.”

    Earlier this close season, Barcelona were extensively linked with a move for PSG midfielder Marco Verratti and the Italy international was subsequently touted as a potential makeweight in any Neymar deal.

    Barca’s latest statement requesting full payment suggests such an option is not on the table and comes after LaLiga president Javier Tebas questioned the legality of such an outlay from PSG under FFP rules.