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Tag: Neymar

  • Neymar Seals £78m Deal From PSG To Al-Hilal

    Neymar Seals £78m Deal From PSG To Al-Hilal

    Superstar footballer Neymar has completed his £78m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

    Neymar left PSG after agreeing on a two-year deal with the PIF-backed club, one that is understood to be worth £130million a year.

    He becomes the biggest name in football to move to the oil-rich nation after Cristiano Ronaldo left England.

    He rejected the possibility of a loan move to his former club Barcelona, which would have included an option to buy him outright next year.

    The Brazilian was seen speaking to the Saudi club’s fans in a video on their social media pages where he is heard saying: ‘I am here in Saudi Arabia’.

    ‘It is inevitably difficult to say goodbye to a legend of the club, which Neymar will be forever,’ PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said.

    ‘I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, nor what he brought to our club and our project over the past six years.

    ‘We have lived extraordinary moments and Neymar will always be part of our history.

    ‘I would like to thank him and his family. We wish Neymar the best for the future and his next adventure.’

    Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona in a world record £198m deal in 2017.

    Overall, Neymar scored 118 times in 173 matches for PSG. He has won five Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France trophies.

  • Al-Hilal’s €90 Million Bid for Neymar Accepted by PSG

    Al-Hilal’s €90 Million Bid for Neymar Accepted by PSG

    By Daniel Edu

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has agreed to a €90 million bid from Al-Hilal for Brazilian winger Neymar, which includes additional incentives.

    Neymar, who became a part of PSG in 2017 through a record-breaking transfer fee of 222 million euros, was notably absent at the commencement of the Ligue 1 season, leading to a goalless draw against Lorient.

    The 31-year-old player is in the final stages of finalizing transfer paperwork and has scheduled a medical evaluation with the Saudi Pro League club. Despite this pending move, Neymar does not feature in the plans of head coach Luis Enrique for the upcoming campaign.

    Neymar’s departure from PSG is reportedly in line with the club’s strategic shift to move away from having high-earning superstar players on their roster.

    It has been reported that Neymar’s annual salary at the French Ligue 1 side is approximately €25 million, making him one of the highest-paid footballers in Europe.

    Since his arrival at PSG in 2017, Neymar has participated in 173 matches across various competitions, contributing to the club’s attainment of 13 major titles, including five Ligue 1 championships. He was also a key figure when PSG reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2020, marking a historic achievement for the club, although they were defeated by Bayern Munich.

    In March 2023, Neymar’s season at PSG was cut short due to surgery, and his return to training only occurred in July of that year.

    Upon the completion of his transfer to Al-Hilal, Neymar is projected to earn an impressive €160 million per season, positioning him as the third highest-paid player globally, trailing behind Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr and Karim Benzema of Al-Ittihad.

  • Brazilian Fan Bequeaths Property to Neymar, Citing Admiration and Personal Connection

    Brazilian Fan Bequeaths Property to Neymar, Citing Admiration and Personal Connection

    In an unconventional act of generosity, a Brazilian fan has decided to leave his entire property to Neymar, the renowned football star. The 30-year-old fan, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed deep admiration for Neymar and a sense of identification with him. Facing health issues, the fan saw this as an opportunity to pass on his belongings to someone he believed truly deserved it.

    Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to directly hand over his assets to Neymar, the fan took a formal approach by drafting a notarized will. This legally binding document solidifies his decision and ensures that Neymar becomes the designated recipient of his property. The fan’s choice was motivated by Neymar’s remarkable talent on the field, as well as his close bond with his family, which resonated deeply with the fan’s own experiences.

    While some may question the selection of a wealthy athlete as the beneficiary, the fan highlighted Neymar’s perceived lack of greed as a distinguishing factor. The fan recognized Neymar’s character and considered him deserving of this unique gesture. As one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with estimated earnings of $85 million in 2023 according to Forbes, Neymar’s inclusion in the fan’s will has attracted attention. However, it serves as a testament to the personal admiration and connection that the fan feels towards the footballer.

  • 2022 World cup will be my last – Neymar reveals

    2022 World cup will be my last – Neymar reveals

    Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil, forward Neymar has said that the 2022 World Cup will be his last as he “doesn’t have the strength to put up with more football”.

    Speaking on Sunday, October 10, the enigmatic striker said he might not be emotionally capable of playing in 2026 so he will give his all in the next world cup so Brazil can win it.

    Neymar, who has played in two World Cups and is his country’s second top scorer of all time behind Pele, will be 34 when the 2026 tournament rolls around.

    “I think it will be my last World Cup,” the 29-year-old told DAZN.

    “I will play it like it is the last because I don’t know if I will still have the mental strength to put up with even more football.”

    “I will do everything to get to the 2022 World Cup in great shape and will do everything to win for my country, to fulfill my biggest dream since I was little,” added the Paris Saint-Germain star.

    Neymar played in the 2014 World Cup on home soil and scored four goals.

    But a back injury he sustained ensured Brazil were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals.

    Four years later, in Russia, Brazil were knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals.

    He has only won the 2013 Confederations Cup and an Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016 with Brazil.

  • Neymar wants to be PSG’s “first warrior” in Manchester City battle

    Neymar wants to be PSG’s “first warrior” in Manchester City battle

    Neymar has issued a rallying call to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ahead of their 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League semi-final showdown with Manchester City.

    The Brazilian claimed he was ready to “die on the pitch”.

    PSG slipped to a 2-1 defeat in last week’s first leg at Parc des Princes, with Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez overturning Marquinhos’ first-half opener.

    An impressive opening to the contest from Mauricio Pochettino’s men subsided, with Manchester City exerting almost complete control on proceedings after the interval.

    Neymar cut an increasingly isolated figure, while attacking partner Kylian Mbappe failed to attempt a single shot after starting a match for the first time in his Champions League career.

    The world’s most expensive player is aware of the tall task that awaits at the Etihad Stadium.

    But he has not given up hope of last season’s beaten finalists returning to the showpiece.

    “We have a very difficult match against Manchester City, but we have to believe, no matter what the stats or our percentage chance of winning is,” Neymar told PSG’s in-house channel.

    “I think that every Parisian has to believe in us. I’ll be the first to do so.

    “I’m on the front line and I’ll be the first warrior to go into battle for the team.

    “I’m going to give the best of myself and I’ll do everything I can to qualify, whatever happens.”

    With a chuckle, he added: “Even if I have to die on the pitch.”

    The stats Neymar alludes to certainly do not make for comfortable reading for those of a PSG persuasion.

    There have been 47 previous instances of English clubs winning the first leg of Champions League or European Cup tie away from home.

    On each occasion, they have progressed.

    Manchester City have won each of their past six UEFA Champions League matches and have 10 out of 11 victories this season.

    A goalless draw at FC Porto was the only blemish.

    A seventh win would edge Pep Guardiola’s men ahead of Manchester United (1965 and 1966), Leeds United (1969 and 1970) and Arsenal (2005).

    It will make them the outright English record-holders for the longest winning run in Europe’s premier club tournament.

    PSG have played Manchester City four times in European competitions and are yet to beat the Manchester side.

  • COVID-19: Neymar Laughs Off Reports Of New Year’s Party For 500

    COVID-19: Neymar Laughs Off Reports Of New Year’s Party For 500

    Neymar laughed off controversy Thursday over reports he was throwing a mega New Year’s party for 500 guests, posting a video online of preparations for what he called a “low-key dinner” with family and friends.

    The superstar footballer has faced a flood of criticism in his native Brazil and beyond over reports that despite the coronavirus pandemic he was ringing in 2021 with a week-long bash for hundreds of people at his mansion outside Rio de Janeiro.

    However, he took to Instagram several hours before midnight to show his New Year’s Eve plans, which he described as small-scale.

    The 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker posted a video of a dinner table that appeared to be for about 40 guests, decked out with white flowers and an empty chair between each place setting.

    “Marvelous decoration for this beautiful, low-key little dinner at home, with social distancing,” he said.

    “And it’s not for 500 people, ok?” he added with a laugh.

    “Social distancing. Everyone tested,” he wrote in a caption.

    Earlier, he posted videos of himself and his nine-year-old son getting what he called his “50th test” for the new coronavirus.

    Neymar, who hasn’t played since injuring his ankle against Lyon on December 13, had previously avoided commenting on reports about his supposed party in the seaside town of Mangaratiba.

    Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors have opened an investigation into the reports.

    They said Neymar denied on Thursday hosting any party in Mangaratiba, according to news site G1.

    The footballer has reportedly traveled to Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil to ring in the New Year there.

    His press office did not immediately respond to questions from AFP on his plans.

    Brazil has the second-highest death toll in the pandemic, after the United States, with nearly 195,000 people killed by Covid-19.

  • PSG open contract talks with Neymar and Mbappe

    PSG open contract talks with Neymar and Mbappe

    Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has confirmed the club have started negotiations to extend the contracts of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

    The star attacking duo, who are currently sidelined due to injury, have regularly been linked with moves away, but plans are afoot to reward them with new deals.

    Neymar and Mbappe, who joined PSG from Barcelona and Monaco respectively in 2017, are currently under contract until the summer of 2022.

    Brazil international Neymar has regularly been linked with a return to Barcelona, while France forward Mbappe is routinely touted as a target for Real Madrid.

    However, Leonardo has outlined plans to retain their services, along with those of Angel Di Maria, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

    READ ALSO: Steve Clarke urges Scotland to seize chance of Euro 2020 qualification

    The likes of Juan Bernat and Julian Draxler could also be in line for contract extensions as PSG look to retain key members of their squad amid the ongoing financial impact of the coronavirus on football clubs.

    “We’ve started negotiations with Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria to extend their contracts,” Leonardo told a Q&A session on PSG’s official website. “Bernat, too, and Draxler is at the end of his contract. Some young people too. We will intensify this.

    “Remember that PSG suffered financial losses this year, we’re in a complicated moment and it’s not easy, but we’re talking directly with Mbappe and Neymar.

    “There is a question of timing. The idea of an extension exists. We have arrived at the moment when we must have clearer situations.”

    Recent weeks have seen Moise Kean come to the fore, with the on-loan Everton forward scoring both goals in a Champions League victory away to Istanbul Basaksehir and the opener in the weekend win over Rennes.

    However, Leonardo confirmed that PSG do not have an option to sign Kean on a permanent basis when his loan deal finishes at the end of the season.

    Leonardo added: “We don’t have an option to buy Moise Kean, unfortunately.

    “He’s here on loan from Everton. Kean is a great striker for the future, but loan deals in the UK are a bit different, an option to buy is not included in our deal with Everton.”

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  • PSG boss Tuchel reacts to Neymar and Mbappe international call-ups following injuries

    PSG boss Tuchel reacts to Neymar and Mbappe international call-ups following injuries

    Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel says the club have their hands tied over injured stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe being called up to their respective national teams.

    Tite and Didier Deschamps have summoned the players for Brazil and France respectively, despite the fact that neither was able to take part in Wednesday’s Champions League loss against RB Leipzig and is highly unlikely to play in Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash with third-placed Rennes.

    While Tuchel hinted at his frustration at the state of affairs, he said that he has confidence that both will be treated sensibly on their deployment.

    “It’s the right of the national team to call up players. We cannot do anything,” he lamented to the press.

    READ ALSO: ‘I can’t help these people, sorry’ – Klopp

    “If the boys are injured and can’t play, I always prefer that they don’t play.

    “It’s a super important phase, a good time to recover for players, but we have confidence that they will be treated well, that they have good care and good preparation. It’s the truth. We have confidence in these people who are responsible for the national teams.

    “If the players are called up, there’s nothing we can do.”

    PSG have had chronic injury issues for the duration of the season, having also missed regular starters Marco Verratti and Juan Bernat for the loss in Germany.

    Ahead of what is on paper an awkward match against Rennes, they will also be without Presnel Kimpembe in the heart of their defence and inspirational goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

    “Presnel Kimpembe took a serious blow to the fifth metatarsal,” the coach confirmed. “Keylor Navas has minor muscle problems and will be out. This is also likely for Pablo Sarabia, who also has muscle pain.”

    The midweek loss leaves PSG in serious danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since QSI took over the club in 2011.

    Tuchel finds himself a coach under pressure, and while he has seen his side string together seven wins domestically, an adverse result against the side that finished third in Ligue 1 last season could cost him his job.

  • BREAKING: Neymar receives two match ban As League Opens Racism Probe

    BREAKING: Neymar receives two match ban As League Opens Racism Probe

    Neymar received a two-match ban on Wednesday for his red card against Marseille as the French league announced it would open an investigation into accusations of racism by the Brazil forward against Alvaro Gonzalez.

    Angel Di Maria will also be summoned to the league’s next disciplinary commission meeting on September 23 over claims he spat at Marseille defender Gonzalez during PSG’s 1-0 loss which ended with a mass brawl and five players sent off.

    Sebastien Deneux, president of the disciplinary commission, said the evidence was not yet “sufficient” to substantiate the allegations of racist abuse and the investigation would study the images further.

    The goal will be to establish “what was actually and what was actually heard”, Deneux added, while insisting the commission would only rule on “objective, tangible elements.”

    PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa incurred a six-match ban for kicking out at Marseille left-back Jordan Amavi, who was hit with a suspension of three games after he too was dismissed.

    Leandro Paredes was banned for two games after he was sent off for a clash with fellow Argentine Dario Benedetto, who was also red-carded and will be suspended for Marseille’s game with Saint-Etienne on Thursday.

  • BREAKING: Neymar, Di Maria, Paredes test positive for COVID-19

    BREAKING: Neymar, Di Maria, Paredes test positive for COVID-19

    Paris Saint-Germain trio Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes have tested positive for coronavirus, according to reports in France.

    The Ligue 1 club confirmed on Wednesday three players returned a positive Covid-19 result and L’Equipe later revealed who the unfortunate players were, with the trio understood to have all enjoyed a recent holiday in Ibiza.

    “Three Paris Saint-Germain players have confirmed positive Sars CoV2 tests and are subject to the appropriate health protocol,” the club said in a statement.

    “All of the players and coaching staff will continue to undergo tests in the coming days.”

    The French champions on Monday said that two of their players had tested positive for the virus and gone into quarantine.

    Although the Ligue 1 season has kicked off, PSG have yet to begin their campaign as they have been given a break following their run to last month’s Champions League final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich.

    Positive tests have already disrupted the start of the new season, with the opening match of the campaign between Marseille and St Etienne postponed when Marseille reported four positive tests.