TheNewsGuru

Tag: Neymar

  • We’ll see a better Neymar in Qatar – Thiago Silva

    We’ll see a better Neymar in Qatar – Thiago Silva

    Brazil captain Thiago Silva says we will see a “better Neymar” in Qatar after injury hampered his past two tournaments.

    PSG star Neymar missed the 2014 semi-final with a back injury and struggled for full fitness during the 2018 tournament after foot surgery earlier in the year.

    However, he arrives in Qatar for the 2022 Wold Cup fully fit and having scored 15 goals in 20 games for Paris St-Germain this season.

    “I think Neymar is coming into this competition in great form,” said Silva.

    “His preparation this time has been different. In 2014 he got injured just as he was playing so well, and in 2018 he came into the tournament in a different way because he had a serious injury so hadn’t played much.

    “Now with a different preparation, without any injury and any worry, we see a better Neymar.”

  • Classique: Neymar shines for PSG as Mbappe basks in transfer rumours

    Classique: Neymar shines for PSG as Mbappe basks in transfer rumours

    Neymar’s ninth goal of the season moved Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) three points clear at the Ligue 1 summit following a 1-0 victory over Marseille.

    The Brazil international’s strike in first-half stoppage time was enough to settle the Classique as PSG registered 23 shots on goal in a deserved triumph at Parc des Princes.

    Marseille had Samuel Gigot sent off for a dangerous challenge on Neymar as the visitors suffered their first away defeat of the season.

    Meanwhile, Christophe Galtier’s side stretched their unbeaten league run to 20 matches.

    It is their longest streak in the French top-flight since going 21 games without defeat between May 2018 and January 2019.

    Marseille had Pau Lopez to thank for keeping PSG at bay early in the first half as he denied Lionel Messi twice inside the opening four minutes.

    He also blocking Achraf Hakimi after Kylian Mbappe picked out the full-back less than 60 seconds later.

    Lopez then demonstrated wonderful reflexes to tip over Mbappe’s deflected 25-yard effort, before Messi’s fierce free-kick rattled the crossbar.

    But the hosts broke the deadlock just before the break.

    Marco Verratti robbed Amine Harit of possession before Vitinha and Mbappe combined to set up Neymar, whose first-time shot went in off the post.

    Marseille came close to equalising early in the second half, with Jonathan Clauss latching onto Alexis Sanchez’s lofted throughball before drawing smart reflexes out of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    Verratti and Mbappe almost doubled the lead at the other end, but the visitors’ hopes of salvaging a point were effectively dashed 18 minutes from time.

    This was when Gigot was shown a straight red card for rashly taking out Neymar.

    Messi was marginally off target with an attempted dink from Mbappe’s throughball later on, but PSG held out to pull clear at the top of Ligue 1.

    Mbappe slams transfer reports, insists he’s happy at PSG

    Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has described reports he wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in January as “completely wrong”.

    Mbappe, who played in PSG’s 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Marseille on Sunday, was said to have felt betrayed by the club hierarchy.

    The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning 23-year-old signed a new contract in May, after months of uncertainty.

    But he was reported to have become unsettled once more after a failure to meet his demands both tactically and in recruitment.

    PSG football advisor Luis Campos emphatically denied those reports by claiming Mbappe had not informed the club of such intentions.

    Head coach Galtier has also expressed confusion over the speculation.

    The France international has now had his say on the reports, which came up just before PSG’s UEFA Champions League match against Benfica on Tuesday.

    He is adamant the reports are not true.

    “I’m very happy, I never asked to leave in January,” he said, while speaking with French media.

    “The info came out on the day of the match, I didn’t understand. I’m not even remotely involved in this news. I was just as shocked as everyone else.

    “People may think I’m involved, but I’m not involved at all, I was taking a nap.

    “My entourage was at my little brother’s game. All the people who take care of me weren’t there. So, we were flabbergasted when we found out.

    “Afterwards, we had to deal with it. There was a game to play. Just to say it’s completely wrong, and I’m very happy.”

    Mbappe had been a target for Real Madrid before agreeing to prolong his stay in Paris.

    He said: “I am a football player. The most important thing for me is to play and give my best on the pitch. If I start spreading myself too thin, I will get tired very quickly.

    “When you play at PSG, you know what you’re getting into, what it’s going to involve in the good and in the bad. You have to be ready.

    “Those who come here know, we warn them. We’re right in it at the moment, but we are focused on winning games and titles.”

    Mbappe has started the season in prolific form in front of goal, scoring 12 goals in 14 games across all competitions for the French champions.

  • Tite accuses Tunisia of attempting to kick Neymar out of World Cup

    Tite accuses Tunisia of attempting to kick Neymar out of World Cup

    Tite has slammed Dylan Bronn’s challenge on Neymar during Brazil’s win over Tunisia on Tuesday, claiming it was “a move to take a player out of the World Cup”.

    The Selecao completed their preparations for the Qatar World Cup with a commanding 5-1 victory in Paris, with Neymar among the goals.

    His penalty kick took him to 75 goals at the international level.

    But the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward was subjected to a heavy challenge in the 42nd minute by Tunisia defender Bronn, who was sent off.

    Tite though welcomed the competitive nature of the friendly with Jalel Kadri’s side, who were unbeaten in seven games.

    But the Brazil coach was far from pleased with the treatment of his talisman.

    “We were in an atmosphere where most of the fans were from Tunisia,” he said. “At some points, I tried to locate our fans, they diluted. This has created an atmosphere of competitive play.

    “The game on the pitch —- we knew it would be competitive, loyal. But I didn’t imagine the move that happened to Neymar. It’s a move to take a player out of the World Cup.

    “We tried to have two friendlies with teams that are in the World Cup, because the degree of demand is very high, physical, technical and mental. Tunisia had seven games unbeaten.

    “The competitive spirit doesn’t allow you to play a friendly that doesn’t have an emotional clash, so we wanted to prepare, and we were going to take that risk, yes. But it’s what we decided.”

    The five-time world champions head to Qatar later this year on a 15-match unbeaten streak —- winning their last seven —- ahead of facing Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.

  • I love playing with Neymar, I enjoy it – Messi

    I love playing with Neymar, I enjoy it – Messi

    Lionel Messi admits he’s happy playing again with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Indeed, he says he missed Neymar at Barcelona.

    Messi told TUDN: “Ney and I know each other by heart.

    “We really enjoyed our time at Barcelona and I would have liked to play much more there with him.

    “Life has brought us together in Paris and we are happy to be together. I love playing with him, being with him every day and I enjoy it.”

  • PSG: Coach Galtier calls Mbappe, Neymar to order over squabble

    PSG: Coach Galtier calls Mbappe, Neymar to order over squabble

    Paris Saint-Germain stars, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, were called to order by coach  Christophe Galtier, after both players had a spat  in PSG’s UCL defeat of Juventus on Wednesday at Parc de Princess.

    The French and the Brazilian have been best of friends since the beginning of season before the imbroglio that ensued in the PSG versus Juventus match.

    Both players have enjoyed great relationship between them in the French Ligue 1.

    Neymar and Mbappe have begun the season in a fine scoring form but their relationship has faced intense scrutiny following appearing fractious at times.

    However, Neymar felt bad when Mbappe after scoring two goals wasted an opportunity to set up Neymar from a goal scoring position in the PSG’s Champions League 2-1 win against Juventus in mid-week

    The pass would have enabled Neymar to score with a likely tap-in against Juventus.

    Speaking on the development ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 tie against Brest on Saturday, Galtier said at his pre-match press conference, “The relationship is very good. That’s the truth. They’re often together in training.

    “Yes, there’s a situation in a match, but having spoken to Kylian Mbappe yesterday and I have also spoken to Ney, and from the discussion with Kylian Mbappe, there were two moments.

    “There was the first acceleration when there was possibly a chance to pass the ball, but it was more difficult. The second time was when Kylian Mbappe got into the penalty box and didn’t see Ney.

    “When you see the clip, it looks simple, but at the time, he had to make a decision. Kylian Mbappe was focused on the ball for shooting.

    “I am convinced that Kylian Mbappe will get assists for Neymar, just as Neymar is capable of performing assists for Kylian Mbappe.

    “There is nothing else negative about that since that piece of play in the game.”

  • SHOCKING! Messi, Neymar snubbed in 2022 Ballon d’Or shortlist [SEE FULL LIST]

    SHOCKING! Messi, Neymar snubbed in 2022 Ballon d’Or shortlist [SEE FULL LIST]

    Argentina and Paris Saint Germain Football club forward and reigning Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi has surprisingly missed out on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s award following his unimpressive debut season at PSG.

    Although his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo made the list for his heroics for Manchester United last season despite the Red Devils’ not too good finish in the English Premier League (EPL).

    Meanwhile, hot favourite Karim Benzema has been nominated for the 2022 Ballon d’Or, but there is no place on the list for another PSG superstar Neymar.

    However, French forward, Kyllian Mbappe will be representing PSG for his heroics as a striker for the club side last season.

    The Ballon D’or Winner will be announced on the 17th of October in Paris.

    Below are the 30-man 2022 Ballon d’Or nominees 

    1. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
    2. Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
    3. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
    4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
    5. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
    6. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
    7. Vinicius Jnr (Real Madrid)
    8. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
    9. Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
    10. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
    11. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
    12. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
    13. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
    14. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
    15. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
    16. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
    17. Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
    18. Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
    19. Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
    20. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
    21. Casemiro (Real Madrid)
    22. Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
    23. Fabinho (Liverpool)
    24. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
    25. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
    26. Harry Kane (Tottenham)
    27. Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
    28. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
    29. Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich) (edited)
    30. Sebastian Haller (Borussia Dortmund)
  • Messi has nothing to prove to anyone – Neymar

    Messi has nothing to prove to anyone – Neymar

    Brazilian forward Neymar insists club teammate Lionel Messi has nothing to prove to his critics in his second season as a Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player.

    Messi had an underwhelming first campaign with PSG following his move from FC Barcelona, scoring 11 goals in 34 games.

    This was down on the 38 scored with Barca the previous year.

    The Argentina captain assisted 14 goals, though, 10 of which came after the turn of the year.

    Only Barca’s Ousmane Dembele (11) has managed more across Europe’s top five leagues in 2022.

    The 35-year-old impressed in his first competitive outing of the 2022/2023 campaign on Sunday as he opened the scoring in PSG’s 4-0 Trophee des Champions win over Nantes.

    However, when asked if that display is a sign of a new Messi at PSG, Neymar leapt to the defence of his colleague.

    “I don’t think so. I think people talk too much,” he said. “They don’t know what’s going on every day, what’s going on inside.

    “Leo, it’s Leo. It’s still Leo, it doesn’t change. No, he continues to make the difference. He adapts.

    “It is obvious that we hope that everything goes well for the three of us, for me, for Leo, for Kylian [Mbappe]. If the three of us are well, I’m sure it’s good for the team.”

    Neymar scored twice after Messi had opened the scoring in Tel Aviv and Sergio Ramos was also on target as PSG won their first silverware under Christophe Galtier.

    The Parisians have now won 11 Trophee des Champion crowns, including nine of the past 10 editions of the competition.

    Neymar, who also created a game-high three goalscoring chances, is pleased to have started the new campaign — his sixth with PSG — in style.

    “I’m satisfied. We had a very good match with the team,” he said. “It’s very important to start winning and it’s a match that ends in a trophy. Whatever happens, you have to win.”

  • Neymar penalty kick earns narrow win for Brazil against Japan

    Neymar penalty kick earns narrow win for Brazil against Japan

    Brazil earned a 1-0 win in a friendly match against Japan in Tokyo on Monday, thanks to a penalty kick from Neymar.

    Brazil dominated for large periods in the pouring rain at the New Japan National Stadium and squandered several goalscoring chances.

    Neymar’s penalty kick finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute.

    The victory means the Selecao have won five consecutive games, and have not lost since July when they were beaten by Argentina in the Copa America final.

    Both teams came into the came on the back of big wins last time out Thursday, with Japan thumping Paraguay 4-1, while Brazil went one better in beating South Korea 5-1.

    Brazil almost took the lead inside two minutes as a neat play between Vinicius Junior and Neymar ended with the latter backheeling to Lucas Paqueta.

    He hit the post after shooting across Shuichi Gonda in the Japan goal.

    Japan had a brief period in the first half where they caused some problems for Tite’s side, with Takumi Minamino getting some joy between the lines.

    But Brazil soon established their dominance as they created more chances.

    Casemiro should have put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute but could only guide a header from a Raphinha free-kick over the crossbar.

    Thereafter, Neymar had a shot parried away by Gonda and Raphinha bent a direct free-kick just wide of the left-hand post.

    Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were introduced just after the hour and the Arsenal forward almost made an immediate impact.

    But he could only guide his shot wide of the far post after the ball was cushioned down for him by Casemiro.

    The hosts’ only real chance of note came in the 72nd minute, when Junya Ito fired over with a volley at the far post.

    Brazil were awarded a penalty kick shortly after, when substitute Richarlison was fouled by Wataru Endo.

    Neymar then sent Gonda the wrong way from the spot for them to win the game.

  • Shocker! Neymar considers Chelsea move

    Shocker! Neymar considers Chelsea move

    Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is being linked with a Thomas Tuchel reunion at Chelsea.

    In the wake of Kylian Mbappe’s contract extension at PSG, it’s being raised that Neymar could be moved on due to the finances involved in keeping the striker.

    Football.London says Neymar could potentially be moving to Chelsea according to French sources.

    It would be a transfer that could bring some ‘x factor’ to the Blues, while reuniting the Brazilian with Tuchel, whom he played under in Paris. That could be a proposition that may tempt the 30-year-old, who has been full of praise for his former manager in the past.

    Discussing his relationship with Tuchel back in 2019 to Canal+, he said: “It’s a friendship but, at the same time, a huge mutual respect. I respect him as a coach but when we need to talk, we talk.

    “I’ve developed a great affection towards him since the first time we spoke. When you have this great affection for your coach, you give your life on the pitch. For him I will do my best to win.”

  • Neymar, Mbappe strike as PSG beat Marseille

    Neymar, Mbappe strike as PSG beat Marseille

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came out on top 2-1 in a tight tussle with Marseille in Sunday’s Classique, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe securing the bragging rights.

    All three goals were scored before half-time in a match that was far from being a classic between Ligue 1’s top two teams.

    Duje Caleta-Car had cancelled out Neymar’s opener, before Mbappe struck from the penalty kick spot to restore parity.

    Marseille had what they thought was an equaliser disallowed by VAR late on.

    The win maintains PSG’s strong form after Mauricio Pochettino’s side won their previous two fixtures 5-1 and 6-1.

    It moves them closer to putting the finishing touches to regaining the Ligue 1 title.