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Tag: PSG

  • Pochettino defends Messi, says Neymar could start at Nantes

    Pochettino defends Messi, says Neymar could start at Nantes

    Mauricio Pochettino has moved to defend Lionel Messi after the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward missed a penalty kick against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

    Although Kylian Mbappe’s superb late winner put the Parisians on the brink of the 2021/2022 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Messi’s performance in the first leg game drew criticism.

    Since his first season in the competition (2004/2005), no player has missed more UEFA Champions League penalty kicks than Messi, who has failed with five kicks.

    But speaking ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 trip to Nantes on Saturday, Pochettino launched a strong defence of his fellow Argentinian.

    “Messi is the best in the world,” said former Tottenham manager Pochettino. “A player like him, with his experience, and what he means, is the essence of football.

    “If you want to explain to someone what football is all about, it is Leo Messi.

    “In no way will missing a penalty kick affect his confidence. That is impossible. If anyone thinks that, they do not understand this sport.

    “I am pleased with his performance. He played well [against Real Madrid], which was down to his ability to link difference pieces together on the pitch.

    The former FC Barcelona captain was joined on the pitch against Real Madrid by Neymar, and the substitute provided the assist for Mbappe’s match-winning strike with a sumptuous backheel.

    Pochettino has confirmed the Brazilian is now in contention to make his first start since suffering an ankle injury against Saint-Etienne last November.

    “Neymar could start [against Nantes],” Pochettino said on Friday.

    “He has been doing well in training, and he has been very focused at every stage of his recovery, showing his commitment to get back to his best level and help the team.

    “We hope that he is over these problems now, and through playing competitive games, that he can reach his best level.”

    Neymar has suffered a plethora of injury issues since making his own move from Barcelona to Paris in 2017.

    He has failed to make over 20 Ligue 1 starts in a single season to date.

    However, the Brazilian has managed 59 goals and 34 assists in his 80 league appearances for the capital club.

  • Mbappe scores late to give PSG win against Real Madrid

    Mbappe scores late to give PSG win against Real Madrid

    Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant goal in stoppage time as Paris St-Germain beat 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

    The France striker, linked with a move to Real in the summer, received the ball on the left from a clever backheel by Neymar, and got between two defenders inside the box before slotting through Thibaut Courtois’ legs to send the Parc des Princes wild.

    It was a dramatic finish to a game that had looked set to end in frustration for PSG, especially after Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved just after the hour mark.

    The hosts had dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Real defence that had limited PSG to one shot on target in the first half, when Mbappe saw a shot denied by Courtois’ legs.

    But the introduction of Neymar, making his first appearance since November after recovering from injury, proved decisive. He caused Real a number of problems with his dangerous crosses and clever runs before providing the crucial pass for Mbappe to work his magic with seconds remaining.

    The win will give PSG hope that they can head to Madrid on Wednesday, 9 March and get the result they need to keep alive their hopes of winning a first Champions League title.

    BBC

  • Real Madrid never considered me – Hakimi

    Real Madrid never considered me – Hakimi

    Paris Saint-Germain wing-back Achraf Hakimi admits Real Madrid never really rated him.

    Hakimi will face his former club in the Champions League round of 16 this week.

    He recalled, “It was due to a little on the lack of maturity and a little on the confidence. When you arrive from the youth academy it is normal that the club does not bet so much on you; then I had two great seasons at Dortmund and I had to decide what to do, since Real still didn’t consider me.

    “I knew I could play at high levels; when Inter bought me, Real had an option but didn’t exercise it.

    “I’m happy that other big clubs have invested in of me.”

  • Police arrest hacker accused of stealing from Neymar

    Police arrest hacker accused of stealing from Neymar

    Brazilian police have arrested a man they believe hacked into Neymar’s bank accounts and repeatedly stole small sums of money totaling more than 40,000 dollars, officials in Sao Paulo said.

    Police said the alleged hacker worked at an unnamed bank where the Paris St-Germain (PSG) and Brazil player and his business manager father had accounts.

    The 20-year-old was arrested on Wednesday “for defrauding bank clients”, a police statement said.

    Although the police did not name the player in the statement, the officer in charge of the case said it was Neymar.

    He explained how the alleged theft occurred to Brazilian TV show Brasil Urgente.

    “What did this lad do?” said Fabio Pinheiro Lopes. “He got the password of his office colleague and stole small amounts of money from famous people with high net worth.”

    “These people didn’t notice. He made (a transfer) of 10,000 (reais) (1,912.59 dollars), then another of 10,000, then 20,000, and then 50,0000 and the total came to 200,000.”

    Lopes said the account affected was Neymar’s and that his father likely controlled the funds.

    “When they discovered they called the bank. The bank reimbursed the victim and investigated who was behind it,” he said.

    Neymar’s press officer did not comment on the case when contacted by Reuters.

  • Neymar resumes training ahead of Champions League clash with Real Madrid

    Neymar resumes training ahead of Champions League clash with Real Madrid

    Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, who turned 30 on Friday, has returned to training, ahead of their forthcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

    His progress is very good

    The club’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino, said on Thursday that Neymar will not be fit for PSG’s Ligue 1 match on Friday against Rennes, four days before a Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Real Madrid.

    “He will not be in the squad for Rennes. His progress is very good. All the great players want to play the big games. He has the experience and maturity to manage himself, and channel his energy, to arrive in the best conditions when he can play,” Pochettino said.

     

    Adding that the player was back training with the first team squad.

    The Brazilian has been out of action for more than two months after he was stretchered off with an ankle injury during their 3-1 victory over Saint-Etienne on November 28.

     

    PSG’s Champions League campaign resumes on Tuesday when they host Real Madrid in the first-leg of their Round of 16 clashes.

     

    Neymar took part in a 15-minute session at training Thursday morning and pictured laughing alongside his team-mates, including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

     

    His return to training will give PSG fans some hope that they start him alongside Messi and Mbappe against Los Blancos.

     

    However, since Neymar’s arrival in 2017, he has missed five of his team’s eight Champions League last 16 appearances due to various injuries, including the double-header against Barcelona last season.

  • Ligue 1: Zidane wants Ronaldo at PSG before signing

    Ligue 1: Zidane wants Ronaldo at PSG before signing

    Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo is a priority demand of Zinedine Zidane for PSG.

    The French giants are preparing for life without Kylian Mbappe, who has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer, and are considering replacing him with Ronaldo, says the Mirror.

    The switch would see the 37-year-old lining up in the same team as eternal rival Lionel Messi for the very first time.

    And with Zidane in talks to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, the former Real coach is demanding Ronaldo be signed as a priority. Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Pochettino hasn’t really settled in the French capital, and looks increasingly likely to leave at the end of the season, whether United come calling or not.

    Speculation surrounding the Portugal international’s unhappiness in Manchester has intensified ever since the Red Devils were dumped out of the FA Cup on penalties by Championship side Middlesbrough on Friday.

  • UCL: I’m going to die for PSG against Madrid – Ramos

    UCL: I’m going to die for PSG against Madrid – Ramos

    Paris Saint-Germain center-back Sergio Ramos has said he’s “going to die” for his club when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16.

    The Spanish centre-back was asked about his emotions upon drawing his former club in Europe, and he left no doubts about his allegiance.

    Ramos has only managed to play in one match this year for PSG amid prolonged muscular injuries, but he will hope to be available in the spring for the momentous two-legged clash.

    Ramos almost played Manchester United instead of Real Madrid, but PSG were re-drawn against the Spanish side in an emotional turn of events for him.

    “You know the affection and love I have for Real Madrid,” Ramos said. “Now it’s my turn to defend PSG and I’ll do everything possible to do it. It’s the team that bet on me. I’m going to die for PSG.”

    “I would have liked not to have that confrontation [with Real Madrid], but returning to the Santiago Bernabeu is cause for joy [because] I could not have a real farewell because of Covid restrictions.”

  • Transfer: PSG table pre-contract offer to Rudiger

    Transfer: PSG table pre-contract offer to Rudiger

    Paris Ssaint-Germain have tabled a pre-contract offer to Chelsea defender Toni Rudiger.

    With his Blues deal expiring in June, Rudiger can now sign a pre-contract with any foreign team.

    After talks before Christmas, PSG have now offered Rudiger a deal worth €7m-a-year, says RMC.

    Real Madrid are also keen, though are unhappy with the demands coming from the Germany defender’s minders.

    It’s been suggested Rudiger has been seeking €11m-a-year from interested clubs.

  • Send me back to Premier League – Wijnaldum tell PSG

    Send me back to Premier League – Wijnaldum tell PSG

    Georginio Wijnaldum has informed PSG management he wishes to return to England this month.

    The Holland midfielder has battled to find form since his summer arrival from Liverpool and has told PSG he’d like to be made available to Premier League clubs on-loan.

    Sky Sports says Wijnaldum made the decision this week and is eager to leave Paris as soon as he can.

    Arsenal and former club Newcastle United have already expressed interest.

    So far this term, Wijnaldum has made 16 appearances with PSG, with seven from the bench.

  • Mbappe grabs hat-trick as PSG cruise in Coupe de France

    Mbappe grabs hat-trick as PSG cruise in Coupe de France

    Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) breezed through to the Coupe de France last 16 with a 4-0 win over Vannes.

    Presnel Kimpembe was also on target for the defending champions, who remain unbeaten in 90 minutes in the competition since 2014.

    The skipper headed the runaway Ligue 1 leaders in front after 28 minutes at Stade de la Rabine.

    Mbappe then took centre stage after the break, striking three times to put the fourth-tier side to the sword.

    Unbeaten against lower-league opposition in the Coupe de France since 2010, a much-changed PSG quickly imposed their authority on proceedings, enjoying over three-quarters of the possession.

    The visitors, who have won six of the last seven editions of this competition, also registered eight shots inside the opening 25 minutes.

    Kimpembe, Xavi Simons, Ander Herrera and Georginio Wijnaldum all drew saves from Clement Petrel.

    But there was no denying Kimpembe, who broke the deadlock with a free header from Nuno Mendes’ corner.

    Kimpembe turned provider 14 minutes after the restart, with Mbappe latching on to his hopeful long ball and racing away before doubling the lead.

    The France striker made it 3-0 in emphatic fashion in the 71st minute as he fired a stunning 20-yard effort into the top corner from Simons’ pass.

    That was the talisman’s fourth brace in as many appearances for PSG in all competitions.

    But hungry for more, he completed his hat-trick five minutes later, playing a neat one-two with Eric Ebimbe before sliding into the empty net.