Croatia has already ended Neymar's World Cup dream. Now it hopes to do the same to Lionel Messi. Croatia, runner-up in 2018, is the next obstacle for Argentina to overcome on Tuesday in the semifinals as Messi aims to win the one major trophy that has eluded him. But Croatia, which lost to France in the final in Russia, is on its own mission to go one step further this time around. "I don't think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game," Croatia defender Josip Juranovic said Sunday. "I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity. The fact that we act and play as a family." Neymar was left in tears after Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw through extra time in their quarterfinal match. Messi has been in inspired form during Argentina's run to the semifinals, scoring four goals in five games. His assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals was a moment of magic from the seven
Brazilian soccer great Pele congratulated Neymar for matching his national team scoring record on Friday, and then commiserated with the player for his World Cup exit. Pele, who has been hospitalized while being treated for a respiratory infection, posted his message on Instagram after Brazil lost to Croatia in the quarterfinals in a penalty shootout at the tournament in Qatar. "I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know that this is more than a figure," the 82-year-old Pele wrote. "Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport. "Unfortunately this is not the happiest day for us," Pele added. "My record was set almost 50 years ago, and nobody had managed to get near it until now. You got there, kid. That shows how great your achievement is." Neymar scored Brazil's only goal against Croatia at
Neymar walked off the field with teammate Dani Alves by his side, tears still rolling down the Brazil forward's cheeks. Other players had already tried to console Neymar as he cried while sitting near midfield, head down, hiding his face. There wasn't much they could say to get the team's biggest star to lift his head up. Again there was disappointment instead of joy at the end of a World Cup for Neymar. Again he couldn't lead Brazil to a major title. It was his third failure at a World Cup, and his only triumphs with the national team are the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, when Brazil won its first gold medal in soccer. Neymar said it wasn't the time to talk about his future with the national team. "Honestly, I don't know what's going to happen. It's hard to talk about it right now," he said. "It would be too hasty to come here and say that this is it, but I can't guarantee anything. I have to take some time to think about it. I'm not closing any
Neymar scored a goal in his return from injury and Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Monday. Neymar converted a first-half penalty for his 76th goal with Brazil and move one shy of Pel all-time scoring record with the national team. The 82-year-old Pel said he was going to watch the match on television while hospitalized in Brazil to treat a respiratory infection. Vincius Jnior, Richarlison and Lucas Paquet also scored in the first half for Brazil, which made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the eighth straight time. South Korea was trying to advance past the round of 16 for the first time since its historic run as a co-host in 2002, when it made it to the semifinals and ended up fourth. Paik Seung-ho scored South Korea's goal in the 76th minute.
Fifa World Cup 2022, Brazil vs South Korea, Round of 16 Highlights: Vinicious Jr, Neymar, Richarlison and Paqueta scored as Brazil thrashed South Korea 4-1 to make the last 8 where they play Croatia
Whether Neymar is in the lineup, on the bench or resting for a third consecutive game will depend on how he performs in Brazil's last training session ahead of the team's match against South Korea on Monday in the round of 16 at the World Cup. The Brazil forward missed two group matches after injuring his right ankle in the team's opening win over Serbia. He was back training with teammates on Saturday, but it remains unclear whether he's fit enough to play against South Korea. He will train this afternoon, and if he trains well, he will play, Brazil coach Tite said ahead of the team's practice session on Sunday. Tite said he planned to use Neymar from the opening whistle instead of as a substitute if he's healthy enough to play. I prefer to use my best player from the start, Tite said. It's the coach who has to make that decision and take on that responsibility. Brazil struggled without the playmaker but still won its group despite a loss to Cameroon in the last match. Obviously
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Brazil manager Tite expressed his confidence that Neymar will play again at the 2022 World Cup after sustaining an ankle injury during the team's 2-0 win over Serbia
Neymar is planning a World Cup comeback despite posting a photo of his ankle still looking very swollen. Neymar is undergoing treatment for damaged ligaments in his right ankle after getting hurt in Brazil's 2-0 opening win over Serbia on Thursday. Team doctors said Neymar will miss Monday's match against Switzerland but did not elaborate on a timetable for his return or say whether he will be able to return at all. Neymar wrote on Instagram he was enduring "one of the most difficult moments" of his career, but seemed optimistic about his chances of returning. He showed two photos of his swollen ankle in an Instagram story. "I'm injured, yes, and it's a pain, and it will hurt," he said. "But I'm sure that I'll have the chance to return, because I'll do anything possible to help my country, my teammates and myself." He said he's been waiting too long for this World Cup to go out like this. "Nothing in my life was easy or given to me," Neymar said. "I've had always had to go after
'The scans showed a lateral ligament injury to Neymar's right ankle along with a small bone swelling'
Brazil manager Tite said star forward Neymar would fight through the pain barrier to continue playing in the FIFA World Cup despite an ankle injury.
Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Live Updates: Yet another Asian side shone as South Korea forced a draw out of fancied Uruguay. Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 while Brazil didn't have to sweat hard for 2-0 win
With Neymar limping off the field with an ankle injury, Richarlison came through for the Seleo. A spectacular acrobatic kick followed an easy tap-in from close range as Richarlison scored both goals in Brazil's 2-0 victory over Serbia on Friday at the World Cup. After the match, the Tottenham striker learned of the extent of Neymar's injury. The most important thing for us it to have him at 100 per cent for the next match, said Richarlison, whose first goal came after a buildup started by Neymar. When I get to the hotel I'm going to go and see how he is doing. Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Neymar sprained his right ankle. He declined to speculate on whether he would be available to play in the team's next match against Switzerland on Monday. We put ice on it while he was on the bench and then in physiotherapy, Lasmar said. There is no test scheduled for now but we will schedule it if needed. He will be under observation. We will know more tomorrow. Neymar was also injure
Neymar's trial concluded on Monday with the company that accused him of fraud and corruption reducing the prison sentence it sought for the player's alleged involvement in irregularities related to his transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. The trial's conclusion came three days after Spain's state prosecutor dropped its charges against Neymar, his father and the former executives of the Brazilian and Spanish clubs. Brazilian company DIS continued with its charges but called for a revised prison sentence of two and a half years for Neymar and four years for Neymar's father, who is also the player's agent. DIS initially sought five-year jail terms for the 30-year-old Neymar, his father and former Barcelona executives Sandro Rosell and Josep Bartomeu. DIS also wants compensation of 34 million euros ($33.6 million) and a fine of 195 million euros that would be paid by the accused to the Spanish state. The state prosecutor announced the decision to drop the charges after hearing .
Lionel Messi's vision was too much for Toulouse as he set up goals for Neymar and Kylian Mbapp in French league leader Paris Saint-Germain's 3-0 win at Toulouse. Four touches were enough for PSG to open up Toulouse's defense for the first goal in the 37th minute, with Messi applying the final pass to give Neymar his league-leading seventh goal in just five games. After being denied four times by goalkeeper Maxime Dup, Messi grabbed his fourth assist this season when he set up Kylian Mbapp's fifth goal. PSG's MNM attack of Messi-Neymar-Mbapp has combined for 15 of PSG's 21 goals in five games. It would have been more but Dup made nine saves. Promoted Toulouse held out until the 39th minute. The goal was slick one-touch soccer with midfielder Marco Verratti and Mbapp exchanging passes before Messi's first-time pass behind the defense allowed Neymar space to guide the ball under Dup. The goal was given following a video review when replays showed Neymar was onside as the in-form Bra
Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta has backed out-of-sorts teammate Neymar to recapture his best form in FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.
Before breaking the bank to recruit superstars, companies should first decide what goal they are trying to achieve.
Neymar will not play again for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 as he has been sidelined for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury.
Neymar has admitted that in all likelihood next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be his last, as the strain of the game has taken its toll on the Brazilian's body and mind.The PSG star has represented the Selecao at the 2014 World Cup on home soil and in Russia four years later but expects the tournament next winter to be his final appearance on football's biggest stage."I think it's my last World Cup," the 29-year-old said in DAZN's exclusive new documentary, Neymar & The Line Of Kings."I see it as my last because I don't know if I have the strength of mind to deal with football any more. So I'll do everything to turn up well, do everything to win with my country, to realise my greatest dream since I was little. And I hope I can do it," he added.Neymar will be 34 in 2026 when the USA, Canada and Mexico will host the biggest competition in the world.Aside from the Olympic gold, he won at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Neymar's only trophy with the national team ...
Paris Saint-Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar both broke scoring records on Friday (IST) as Argentina and Brazil continued their march toward next year's World Cup in Qatar.