Neymar and Memphis Depay are among the top footballers who have spoken out against a new rule introduced by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
The CBF has informed all clubs in Brazil’s domestic league that any player who stands on the ball with both feet will now receive a yellow card. In addition, the other team will be given an indirect free kick.
According to the CBF’s letter the act of standing on the ball “in addition to the player risking an injury, generates widespread disruptions in games, is considered a provocation to a rival and disrespects the game.”
“Football is getting more and more boring,” Santos captain Neymar wrote on Instagram.
Corinthians star Memphis Depay says there are more important things referees should focus on than whether a player is standing on a ball. Depay recently did that action and it provoked Palmeiras players during the Campeonato Paulista final, which his team won.
The Netherlands international said after Saturday’s 3-0 league win against Vasco da Gama: “I don’t know what the VAR did, in the first half they should have checked, it was a clear foul for a red card. But instead, they prefer to create rules here [in Brazil] like not being able to get on the ball, what are we talking about?
“If we carry on like this, those who decide things in soccer are doing the wrong things. I want to be clear about this, Brazil is a country where we play soccer, you don’t just play soccer with your feet, you also play with your head. They have to do a better job.”
Neymar’s father and agent, Neymar da Silva Santos Sr., revealed that Neymar wants to stay at Santos after this summer.
The Brazilian star returned to his childhood club on January 31, signing a contract that runs until June, after mutually ending his deal with Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia.
Due to injuries, Neymar only played seven matches for Al Hilal since his €90 million ($94 million) transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023.
“Our project is not just for five months, it is a contract that we are considering renewing,” Neymar Sr. told TNT Brasil. “We didn’t come here to compete for five months, it was to give Santos the opportunity to restructure itself, to find partners for the club to rebuild itself.”
Neymar, 33, scored his first goal for Santos since returning to Brazil when he converted a penalty he had earned in his team’s 3-1 win over Agua Santa in Sunday’s São Paulo state championship game.
The former Barcelona star also set up Guilherme for Santos’ third goal. “Important win, well done team, let’s go SANTOS,” Neymar wrote on Instagram.
Neymar, who has not managed to play all 90 minutes in a game for Santos so far, said he is focusing on the present rather than thinking about his future.
Asked about his father’s comments, Neymar said after Sunday’s game: “Let’s take it easy. It’s a contract we made not just between the two of us. One is helping the other. Santos opened the doors for me to reacquaint myself with football, with my joy. I didn’t sign a long contract because I didn’t know how I was going to get back, how I was going to feel in those months. Anything can happen.”
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira is hopeful Neymar will remain at the club at least until the 2026 World Cup. However, sources told ESPN that the player’s wish is to return to play in Europe next season. Moreover, that he is using his time at Santos to recover his technical and physical abilities after the ACL injury that kept him sidelined for over a year until October 2024.
Neymar has reason to be cautious. He recently recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up in November in just his second game back for Al Hilal after being sidelined for a year following a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
“As long as I’m on the field I will give myself 100%,” Neymar added. “Let’s take it easy, let’s wait for these moments, enjoy these games. Santos knows the love I feel for this club, the respect I have for them. It’s the beginning of a great era for Santos, I’m sure Santos will rise again and return to the top.”
Santos are backin Brazil’s Serie A, a year after being relegated for the first time.
Neymarscored his first goal in 16 months with a penalty, helping Santos achieve a 3-1 victory over Agua Santa in the Paulista Championship on Sunday. The Brazilian star expressed his happiness to be back on the field after a long injury break.
He successfully converted the penalty in the 14th minute, with Thaciano adding another goal, and Guilherme finishing with a third goal in the 70th minute, assisted by Neymar.
Neymar’s previous goal was for Al Hilal in October 2023. A severe knee injury limited him to just seven matches after joining the Saudi club in 2023.
“I’m happy to be playing again. I feel I’m improving,” he said. “Obviously I’m not going to be 100% physically, it’s only my fourth game but I’m getting better and better.
“I was anxious to score and wanted to dedicate this to the fans and my family.”
Neymar started his professional football career at 17 with Santos in 2009, where he scored 136 goals and assisted 64 times in 225 matches, leading the team to their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly five decades in 2011.
In 2013, he transferred to Barcelona, and then in August 2017, he made a record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain for 222 million euros ($232 million). Later, he joined Al Hilal for about 90 million euros.
According to Brazilian media, Neymar’s contract with Santos lasts until the end of June.
“We’re helping each other, Santos are helping me, they’ve opened doors for me to rediscover soccer, to rediscover joy,” Neymar said when asked about extending the contract.
“I didn’t want to sign a long contract because I didn’t know how I was going to come back. I didn’t know how I was going to feel during these months. Let’s enjoy these moments, its the start of a great era for Santos.”
Santos next host Noroeste in the Paulista on Wednesday.
Neymar’s second debut for his boyhood club Santos proved to be disappointing, with the Brazilian star posting subpar statistics.
After having his lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal terminated due to injuries, Neymar returned to Santos, where his professional career began.
Though there were speculations about him joining Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami in MLS, Neymar opted for a six-month deal with Santos instead. His first game back since 2013 saw him come off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Botafogo.
Starting in the subsequent match against Novorizontino, Neymar struggled to make an impact over 75 minutes in a goalless draw.
The 33-year-old managed to complete just one out of eight dribbles, lost possession 24 times, and failed to register a shot on target. Additionally, his successful passing rate stood at only 79 percent, indicating the need for Neymar to regain his form.
As Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, Neymar is aiming to shake off the rust and perform better in the coming weeks, especially with aspirations of playing in the 2026 World Cup.
Despite his lackluster performance, he received a warm welcome fromSantos fans.
Al Hilal announced on Monday that they had reached a mutual agreement with Neymar to terminate his contract, paving the way for his return to his former club, Santos, in Brazil.
The Saudi Pro League club shared the news on social media, wishing Neymar success in his next chapter. According to ESPN, the Brazilian star is expected to sign a six-month deal with Santos, with an option to extend for another year.
Reports suggest the announcement and unveiling could take place later this week, either Thursday or Friday.
To make his move back to Santos possible, Neymar has agreed to forgo a large part of his remaining salary with Al Hilal. He is reportedly giving up between $25 million and $30 million of the $65 million he was due under his contract, which was originally set to run until next summer.
Neymar, now 32, had a challenging stint at Al Hilal. After his $97.6 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023, his time in Saudi Arabia was marred by injuries.
Shortly after joining, he tore his ACL while playing for Brazil, and though he returned in October, a hamstring injury further limited his contributions. Earlier this month, Al Hilal’s manager, Jorge Jesus, confirmed that Neymar was free to explore other options.
With his move to Santos, Neymar is set to return to the club where he began his career, ready to restart in a familiar environment.
Neymar played seven matches forAl Hilal,scoring once in an AFC Champions League game. Despite struggles in Saudi Arabia, he remains a football icon, known for his success at Barcelona (2013-2017) with Messi and Suárez, winning multiple trophies, including a Champions League.
At PSG, he added five Ligue 1 titles and other domestic honors.
He began his career at Santos in 2009, helping them win the 2011 Copa Libertadores and recently earning promotion to Brazil’s top league in 2024. Internationally, Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances and won Olympic gold in 2016.
Raphinha and Vinícius Júniorare excited about Neymar’s possible return to Brazil, as the Al Hilal star considers rejoining his former club Santos in January.
According to ESPN, Neymar wants to end his contract with the Saudi Pro League team and move back to Santos.
The Brazilian forward, who is also being pursued by several MLS clubs, will become a free agent in July.
Asked about Neymar’s future, fellow Brazil international and Barcelona star Raphinha told TNT Sports Brasil, as reported on Globoesporte: “I think him returning to compete at a high level, and in my opinion the Brazilian [league] is at a high level, will be good not only for him, but for everyone.”
Vinícius said he believes Santos would be the right place for Neymar to rediscover his best form.
“For Brazil it is important to have a player like Ney [Neymar], even more so at Santos, which is his home, where he played so many games,” the Real Madrid forward said on Wednesday.
Neymar, 32, has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury in November in his second game back after being sidelined for a year following a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
He has not been guaranteed any regular playing time as has not been registered to play in the Saudi Pro League for the second half of the season.
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus recently said that Neymar “can no longer play at the level we are used to.”
“I think a player like him can never stand still, not be active,” Raphinha said. “What is happening at his club may be hindering him from returning to his best physically.”
Since joining Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 for a record €90 million ($98.6m), Neymar has scored just one goal in seven matches.
The former Barcelona star, who holds the record as Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, was not included in the Saudi Pro League squad for the first half of the season but has played in the Asian Champions League.
“Ney [Neymar] is our idol and we hope he can return to play as soon as possible,”Vinícius said.
“May he be able to calmly take the best decision for him and his family.”
Brazilian forward Neymaris considering ending his contract with Al Hilal to return to Santos, rather than moving to MLS, sources told ESPN.
Last week, ESPN reported that Neymar, whose contract with the Saudi Pro League club ends in June, was in early discussions with three MLS teams, including the Chicago Fire.
Although Neymar has previously expressed interest in playing in MLS one day, he has not indicated when that might happen.
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus recently said that Neymar “can no longer play at the level we are used to” and that the forward would not be registered to play in the Saudi Pro League for the second half of the season.
Neymar, 32, is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in November in just his second game back after being sidelined for a year following a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
With no regular playing time guaranteed at Al Hilal, sources have told ESPN that Neymar has held discussions with Santos over a deal that would see him return to the club for six months. Sources insist that wages would not be a hurdle for his return.
Neymar, however, will attempt to negotiate an exit from Al Hilal that would see him receive some of the contract money owed from his initial two-year deal with the SPL club.
Santos CEO Pedro Martins appeared to rule out taking Neymar on loan fromAl Hilal. When asked about the star’s potential return, Martins said: “There is nothing advanced, nothing closed. The club is monitoring Neymar’s situation to see how he will resolve his case with his current club.
“Neymar has a contract with the club. If they resolve it there, we will evaluate what the possibility of coming here could look like.”
Brazilian footballer Neymar has shared that his relationship with French player Kylian Mbappé grew tense after Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Neymar explained that he initially had a good relationship with Mbappé and often admired his incredible football talent.
However, things reportedly changed between them when Messi transferred to PSG from Barcelona, starting a new chapter for the club.
👀 Neymar tells Romário: “Mbappé was not annoying! When Messi came, I think he became a little jealous…”.
“I had my things with him, we had a little fight. He was a boy that in the beginning was key, I used to call him ‘Golden Boy’, I was spoke to him, played around with him,… pic.twitter.com/sWpdU53omP
“Mbappé wasn’t annoying at first! When Messi arrived, I think he became a little jealous… We had a little fight. He was like a younger brother to me; I used to call him ‘Golden Boy.’ I spoke to him, played with him, and told him he’d become one of the best.
“I always helped and had conversations with him. When Leo arrived, he became a little jealous. He didn’t want to share me with anyone! [laughs] That’s how the fights started, and his behavior changed,” Neymar narrated, as shared by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X.
Brazilian football sensation Neymar,aged 32, has resumed team training with Al Hilal on Monday, marking his comeback after almost a year sidelined due to a left knee injury.
Neymar transferred to the Saudi club from Paris Saint-Germain in a high-profile move in August 2023, but his time on the field was limited to just five matches before suffering a rupture of his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the national team in October.
“Happy to be back in the group,” Neymar posted on Instagram, with pictures of him running and kicking the ball, watched by Al Hilal’s Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.
After surgery, Neymar resumed individual training in July. His return to competitive games will depend on “his technical readiness and the coach’s decision,” a club official who asked to remain anonymous told AFP.
Brazil’s head coach, Dorival Junior, has called for patience regarding Neymar’s recovery as he has excluded the star forward from the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru.
Currently, Al Hilal, the reigning champions of the Saudi league, has not yet registered Neymar for this season of the Saudi Pro League, which commenced last month.
Nevertheless, the former Barcelona star, earning approximately 100 million euros (£83.6 million) annually, is slated to participate in the AFC Champions League, Asia’s premier club competition.
Even without Neymar,Al Hilal dominatedthe Saudi league last season, finishing unbeaten with 31 victories and three draws.
The Riyadh club also achieved an impressive streak of 34 consecutive wins across all competitions before being halted in the Champions League semi-finals by Al Ain from the UAE.
Head coach of Al Hilal, Jorge Jesus, has indicated that Neymar is not yet prepared to make a quick comeback following nearly a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury.
The Brazilian forward signed with the Saudi Pro League club in August 2023, but his time on the pitch was limited to just five matches before suffering a significant knee injury while representing his country last October, which included a rupture of his meniscus and ACL.
After undergoing surgery, Neymar resumed training in July, leading to increasing speculation about his imminent return.
However, in a post-match press conference, Jesus tempered those expectations, suggesting that the player still needs more time to fully recover.
“Neymar is an important player for Al Hilal and the league in general,” Jesus, who led Al Hilal to a 19th league title in May, said on Tuesday. “I can’t, however, specify a date as to when he will return, but we will look at the situation in January.”
Neymar will be able to be registered by Al Hilal in January for the second half of the SPL season.
With SPL teams allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21, Neymar’s place in the roster for the first half of the league campaign was taken by Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica earlier in September.
However, upon his return to fitness, Neymar is eligibleto appear in Al Hilal’s ongoing AFC Champions League Elite campaign, as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed.
His contract at the club is due to expire in August 2025.
Brazilian striker Neymarhas confessed that “there are days that I want to give up” as he recovers from a severe knee injury.
The Al Hilal forward has been out of action since October after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during international duty.
On Instagram, the 32-year-old Neymar shared insights into his recovery journey, emphasizing his determination and resilience.
He wrote: “After I suffered this injury, there are days that are difficult, there are days that I want to give up. It’s hard to go through all of this.
“But here’s a warrior who won’t stop until I get what I want! God is my strength and my fortress. We will continue fighting every day.”
Neymar has only played five games for Al Hilal since signing a two-year contract with the Saudi Pro League club in August 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer missed the Copa América, which Argentina won.
Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus recently expressed hope that Neymar couldreturn to action in September.
Initially expected to dazzle audiences in Riyadh, Neymar’s journey hit a major roadblock in October 2023 when he sustained a severe ACL injury during a World Cup qualifying match for Brazil.
The injury required surgery, sidelining him for the rest of the season and causing him to miss Al-Hilal’s title victory.
Now, Neymar is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as he works diligently towards full fitness. Recently filmed training on grass, he performed agility drills and sprints with noticeable ease.
With guidance from a personal trainer, his sessions indicate significant progress in his rehabilitation process, suggesting he could soon join his teammates in group training.
As Neymar approaches the end of his recovery, expectations are high for his return to the pitch.
Flamengo president Rodolfo Landim revealed that Neymar is expected to be match-ready by mid-September.
Having made just five appearances for Al-Hilal since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar will miss the start of the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season.
However, he is anticipated to be agame-changer as Al-Hilal aims to fend off competition from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and retain the league championship.
Cristiano Ronaldo isreportedly earning double that of Neymar as Saudi Pro League’s top 10 salaries have been revealed ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly earning twice as much as Neymar, as the top 10 salaries in the Saudi Pro League have been disclosed for the 2024-25 season.
Capology reports that Ronaldo tops the list with an annual salary of €200 million.
This is double the earnings of Neymar and Karim Benzema, who each make €100 million. Following them is former Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez, earning €52.5 million.
TOP 10 EARNERS OF THE SAUDI PRO LEAGUE Rank Player Wages 1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) €200m (£168m/$217m) 2 Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) €100m (£84m/$108m) 3 Neymar (Al Hilal) €100m (£84m/$91m) 4 Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) €52.5m (£44m/$57m) 5 Sadio Mane (Al Nassr) €40m (£34m/$43m) 6 Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal) €34.7m (£29m/$38m) 7 Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal) €25m (£84m/$27m) 8 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal) €25m (£21m/$27m) 9 N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad) €25m (£21m/$27m) 10 Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr) €24.5m (£21m/$27m)
The hefty salaries of these players highlight the Saudi Pro League’s ambition to become a leading destination for top football talent.
As the 2024-25 season begins, several other stars, including Casemiro, Ederson, Alisson Becker, and Kevin De Bruyne, are being linked to Saudi Arabia.
Neymar managed only five appearances for Al-Hilal in the 2023-24 season due to a severe ACL injury, earning an astounding €20 million per match.
However, as he nears a return,Neymar is eager to meet expectations and assist his team in defending the league title.
In a candid interview that has gone viral on social media, Neymar humorously named his Brazil teammateVinicius Junior as the “ugliest” footballer he has played with.
The 32-year-old made this surprising comment while answering rapid-fire questions.
The VIVA Sport interviewer asked the Brazil icon who he considers to be the ugliest player he’s worked with in his career so far, and he replied: “I played with a lot of ugly people.
نيمار :
• قدوتك في كرة القدم : اليكس دي سوزا • افضل من شاهدته يلعب : ميسي • افضل من لعبت معه بعد ميسي : انيستا • الحلم الاكبر : كأس العالم • افضل من لعبت ضده : تياغو سيلفا • افضل محور : كاسيميرو • افضل حارس لعبت ضده : نافاس و نوير • افضل هدف : مع سانتوس 2011 • اهم هدف :… pic.twitter.com/S7xwbBQDMv
Ghanaian actor and former footballer Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has claimed that only Brazilian star Neymar andManchester City striker Erling Haaland can match his footballing skills.
Lil Win had a brief football career with Ghanaian Division One League side New Edubiase, where he played in a few matches.
Reflecting on his experience in domestic football, the actor declared himself one of the best players to have recently graced the Ghanaian football scene.
He further revealed that his ball-handling skills are so impressive that he frequently gets fouled by opponents during matches.
“I’m the best striker; if I have the ball, you will have to foul me. I have good turning and speed, and across Ghana, I am the number one best player,” Lil Win said in an interview on Accra-based 3FM.
According to the comic actor, based on his observation, “Neymar and Haaland are my colleagues in football. No Ghanaian player is on my level.”
He added that while opportunities like corner kicks and set pieces are often squandered in matches, he consistently makes the most of those chances.
“In Ghana, we don’t make good use of corner kicks and set pieces, but abroad, it’s a goal. If I’m in a match and there is a corner kick, it will surely be a goal,” he added.
Neymar’s father has reportedly agreed to pay a €1 million bail to secure Dani Alves’ release from prison, as per LaVanguardia (via Barca Universal).
Alves, the former Barcelona player, received a four-and-a-half-year sentence for sexual assault and has served over a year behind bars.
During the trial, Alves changed his testimony several times, initially denying, and later admitting to having intercourse with the victim while trying to hide his infidelity.
This led to the breakdown of his marriage, with his wife, Joana Sanz, filing for divorce.
Despite the prosecution seeking a nine-year prison term under Spain’s revised consent laws, a judge allowed Alves to be released on bail pending his appeal, as his lawyer plans to contest the sentence.
Alves was granted bail under the condition that he would not attempt to flee or tamper with evidence. However, he has been issued a restraining order, requiring him to stay at least 1,000 metres away from the victim.
LaVanguardia disclosed that it was Neymar’s father who posted the bail.
“I am really dissatisfied with this decision. We will file an appeal because we believe it is not in accordance with the law. Justice is being done for the rich. It is scandalous that they free someone because they can get €1 million in no time.”
This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record of 27 consecutive wins held by Welsh Premier League team The New Saints during the 2016–17 season.
Al Hilal’s victory, a 2-0 triumph over Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad, also earned them a spot in the Asian Champions League semifinals with a convincing 4-0 aggregate score.
“This is truly an incredible achievement and I want to thank everyone at the club for their part in this momentous winning record,” Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said.
“As I have said throughout this period, however, records do not matter as much as trophies. It is up to everyone at Al Hilal to ensure that we close out the season as Roshn Saudi League champions and meet our targets in the cup competitions. Only then can we truly celebrate.”
Jesus added that he doesn’t know if he will continue in charge next season.
“I don’t know my future,” he said. “I have a contract with Al Hilal until the end of June. In football, everything changes very quickly. What I want most now is to continue winning with Al Hilal. Now that we have the [Asian Champions League] semifinals, we are also well placed in the championship. Then we’ll see.”
Despite losing Neymar to an ACL injury in October, Al Hilal remains dominant in the Saudi Pro League, holding a commanding 12-point lead over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Alongside three other clubs, Al Hilal was taken over by the Saudi state’s sovereign wealth fund (PIF) in June 2023.
The team’s success has been propelled by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s exceptional scoring ability, with the Serbian striker netting 29 goals in 28 league and continental competition appearances.
Key contributions from players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also been instrumental in their impressive run.
This streak includes 16 victories in the Saudi League, three in the domestic cup, and eight in the Asian Champions League.
Al Hilal’s last non-winning result was a 1-1 draw against league rival Damac on Sept. 21.
Brazil forward Neymar said on Saturday that he would like to play again with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi in the future.
The two are good friends and played together at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but they will not face off in this summer’s Copa América after the Brazil international suffered a knee injury last October.
Since signing Messi in the summer of 2023, Miami has added his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez to the squad.
Asked about Messi bringing his friends to Inter Miami and if he would like to play with him again, Neymar told ESPN Argentina: “Hopefully we can play together again.
Leo is a great person, everyone knows him in football and I think he is very happy and if he is happy, I am too.” The Al Hilal forward, who is not expected to return to action until August, attended the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
Neymar and Messi achieved league titles during their tenure at PSG but fell short of securing Champions League glory for the club. The 32-year-old Neymar has described their time together at PSG as tumultuous, stating that they “endured hell.”
Both players departed the club in 2023, with Messi moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) and Neymar signing a two-year deal with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
Neymar, Brazil’s highest-scoring player of all time, had previously shown interest in playing in the MLS while still at PSG.
Asked last year if he would like to retire in Brazil, Neymar, 30, said on the Fenômenos podcast: “I don’t know. I have some doubts about that. I don’t know if I’ll play in Brazil again.
“I’d love to play in the U.S., actually. I’d love to play there, at least for a season.”
Brazilian football starNeymar Dos Santos Jr. has reportedly requested a DNA test to confirm his paternity regarding a potential third child with Brazilian model and influencer Amanda Kimberly.
Reports from Brazil’s Portal LeoDias indicate that Neymar engaged in an affair with Kimberly, leading to her pregnancy revelation four months later.
While Neymar is said to be receptive to the news, he is insisting on a DNA test to verify paternity. This situation arises following Neymar’s split with his ex-girlfriend Bruna Biancardi, with whom he shares a daughter named Mavie, born in October 2023. The breakup occurred in November due to Neymar’s infidelity.
In June 2023, Neymar publicly apologised for cheating on his pregnant girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi. The incident involved an alleged message exchange with a lover on Valentine’s Day, and he was also spotted with his ex-girlfriend Bruna Marquezine in Miami.
Neymar acknowledged his mistake in a lengthy Instagram post, expressing his commitment to making their relationship work.
“Bru. I do this for both of you and your family. Justify the unjustifiable. No need to. But I need you in OUR lives. I saw how much you were exposed to, how much you suffered with all of this, and how much you want to be by my side. And I stand beside you.
“I did wrong with you all. I risk saying I’m wrong every day, on and off the pitch. Only I solve my mistakes in personal life at home and in my intimacy with my family and friends. All of this hit one of the most special people in my life. The woman I dreamed of following beside me, mother of my child.
Has it touched his family, which is my family today? She touched her intimacy in such a special moment that is maternity,” he wrote.
The 31-year-old then clarified why he decided to apologise publicly, although he has already apologised privately.
“Bru, I already apologised for my mistakes and for unnecessary exposure, but I feel obligated to come publicly reaffirm that. If a private matter has become public, the apology has to be public.
“Can’t imagine without you. I don’t know if we’ll work out, but TODAY you’re sure I want to try.
“Our purpose will prevail, our love for our baby will win, and our love for each other will make us stronger.
‘ALWAYS US. I love you.’
According to a report by Em Off, the couple has supposedly agreed to three conditions that grant the player the freedom to flirt and engage in intimate relationships with other women despite his commitment to Biancardi.
These conditions specify that the former PSG winger must be discreet with his external relationships, must use protection, and must avoid kissing them on the mouth during such encounters with other women.
Neymar and Bruna are thought to have started their relationship in 2021 and made it public in January 2022 through an Instagram post.
The Brazilian forward, who recently became his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, is renowned for his distinctive off-field style.
Known for breaking away from the norm, the 31-year-old has previously sported flamboyant hairstyles during his stints with Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Neymar has now opted for a new beginning by revealing on Instagram that he has shaved off all his hair.
Al-Hilal has deregistered Neymar following his unfortunate ACL injury during his 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Brazil.
Facing several months on the sidelines, there is no immediate place for him in the plans of his Middle Eastern employers, and a lengthy recovery process lies ahead.
Neymar, with just five appearances for Al-Hilal and one goal, is rumoured to be considering a premature end to his spell in Saudi Arabia as he allegedly eyes an emotional return to his roots at Santos.
Brazilian football icon Rivaldo holds the opinion thatNeymar erred in his decision to depart Camp Nou and sign with Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
“Neymar made a mistake to leave; he must realise this. I would like to see him return to Barcelona and if not to the Camp Nou, for the good of Spanish football I would want to see Real Madrid try to sign him.”
PSG shattered the world transfer record with a staggering £200 million to secure Neymar’s services following his highly successful four-year tenure at Barcelona.
Since his transfer to the French giants, the 27-year-old has notched 32 goals and contributed 19 assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances, and he is on the cusp of clinching his second consecutive French title.
Nonetheless, his career trajectory at the Parc des Princes has arguably stagnated, with PSG faltering to advance beyond the UEFA Champions League’s round of 16 in both seasons of his tenure.
Neymar was expected to be the pivotal player who would transform PSG into bona fide Champions League contenders, but that ambition has yet to materialise.
In contrast, Barcelona has advanced to the semi-finals of Europe’s premier tournament this season and stands as the favoured team to claim the title.
Ever since the Brazil international departed fromCamp Nou, there have been persistent rumours linking him with a return, and Real Madrid is reportedly considering a summer move for him, as mentioned by Daniel Matthews of MailOnline.
Neymar is under contract with PSG until 2022, which means that only a substantial offer would potentially convince the club to part with him this summer.
However, if he remains in Paris for the upcoming season and PSG once again falls short of fulfilling their considerable potential, the prospect of a return to Spain might become a more viable possibility.
Brazilian forward Neymar has vehemently dismissed reports circulating in Brazil that suggested his departure from PSG this summer was prompted by physical issues.
In response to claims from Brazilian digital outlet futebolusadia, Neymar referred to them as “fake news.” According to the outlet, one of the cited reasons for Neymar’s PSG departure related to physical problems uncovered during preseason tests.
Neymar responded and wrote: ” Night passes, day passes and things don’t change … there are accounts (like this one) that are not part of the player’s daily life, they don’t know what really happens … I still believe in a future without fake news.”
Back in September, Neymar said that only few people knew what was the motivation behind his €90m move to Saudi club Al Hilal.
“Obviously, there were a lot of guesses everywhere, a lot of know-it-alls who knew the truth of what happened, and no one knows,” he said. “Only I know, few people know what happened for me to arrive at Al-Hilal, but it’s not up to anyone, it’s not up to you.
Last night,Neymar left the Estadio Centenario in an unfortunate state, relying on crutches after suffering an injury during Brazil’s 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifying match.
He was visibly in pain and was seen departing the stadium with a sizable protective cast enveloping his injured leg.
Despite his evident discomfort, the Al-Hilal star displayed his kindness by taking a moment to pose for a photo with a young fan.
The distressing moment occurred when the Brazilian superstar had to be stretchered off the field, deeply moved to tears, due to an apparent knee injury.
This incident adds to a lengthy history of injury setbacks for the 31-year-old attacker.
Brazil, following Neymar’s injury, went on to lose the match to Uruguay, with Darwin Nunez and Nicolas de la Cruz scoring the vital goals.
As a result, the Selecao now stands at seven points after four matches, while Argentina maintains a five-point lead at the top of the table.
The duration of Neymar’s absence from the game is uncertain at this point, but it is confirmed that he will not be available for Al-Hilal’s upcoming match againstAl-Khaleej on Friday.
Neymar was escorted off the field by his fellow Brazil teammates after he was hit in the head by a box of popcorn thrown by a fan in the stands.
The Brazilian fans at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba expressed their disappointment with the national team’s performance with jeers, whistles, and, in the case of one individual, a box of popcorn hurled in Neymar’s direction as he made his way to the dressing room.
Struck by the popcorn box, Neymar looked into the crowd, confronted the presumed perpetrator, and pointed an accusatory finger in their direction.
EITA! O QUE FOI ISSO? JOGARAM PIPOCA NO NEYMAR E ELE FICOU REVOLTADO! MANDOU O TORCEDOR PRA AQUELE LUGAR! ⚠️🚨 Alerta de clima muito tenso na Arena Pantanal! Pqp! O que aconteceu? O camisa 10 ficou muito bravo! 🤬🤬🤬 pic.twitter.com/49XtPfHZG5
This incident occurred at the end of a2026 World Cup qualifier, where the Selecao had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Venezuela on their home turf.
In that match, Neymar had delivered the corner that allowed Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes to score the opening goal, but Eduard Bello managed an acrobatic equaliser for the visiting team.
It’s worth noting that despite becoming Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing the legendary Pele, Neymar has been struggling to find his top form since his summer transfer fromPSG to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Neymar has strongly refuted reports suggesting that he wants Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus to be dismissed, categorising them as “fake” and “bullsh*t.”
Neymar took to Instagram to dismiss a report from an aggregator that claimed he had requested the club’s board to remove Jesus from his position.
The Brazilian international joined Al Hilal during the summer and has played in three matches for the club, providing two assists, after missing the start of the season due to injury.
Although the 31-year-old has only completed 90 minutes on two occasions since joining Hilal, he is eager to make a significant impact once he establishes a consistent starting role.
Neymarhas been proactive in dispelling any suggestions of a rift with Jesus.
Neymar wrote on Instagram: “Bullsht… you have to stop believing in these things and pages like this. .. with millions of followers you can’t keep posting fake news! With all due respect in the world, I ask you to stop this. It’s a lot of disrespect.”
Al-Hilal’s upcoming match is against Al-Jabalain in the King Cup of Champions, scheduled for Monday.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Neymar dos Santos, the star player of Al Hilal, has reportedly called for the dismissal of the club’s manager, Jorge Jesus, following a disagreement between the two.
As per Spanish outlet Diario SPORT, Neymar has experienced a less than favourable start in Saudi Arabia due to clashes with his manager.
The report indicates that during Al Hilal’s Asian Champions League match against Navbahor Namangan, manager Jorge Jesus criticised Neymar’s behaviour on the field.
This critique appears to have strained their relationship.
Since his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has featured in three games for Al Hilal. In the mentioned match, he played the entire duration of the game, which ended in a one-all draw.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer, made the move to the Saudi Arabian club for a transfer fee of €90.00 million. His contract entails an astonishing €2.9 million per week for a two-year deal valued at €300 million.
Under the terms of his contract, Neymar is set to earn €4.80 per second, €288 per minute, €17,280 per hour, €414,720 per day, €2.9 million per week, €12 million per month, €150 million per year, and a total of €300 million over the course of two seasons.
Neymar has been reflecting on the significance of becoming Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, needing just one more goal to surpass Pele’s record.
Currently, the Al-Hilal forward is tied with his legendary compatriot, both having scored 77 goals for their country.
It seems inevitable that Neymar will soon score his 78th goal, surpassing Pele, who won the World Cup three times.
This historic achievement could potentially occur during a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia. Additionally, Brazil is scheduled to face Peru next Tuesday.
Neymar has said of potentially rewriting the record books: “It is hard to know what that record means, but it does mean a lot. No-one ever thought about overcoming that. It is something I will respond to after it is done.”
Neymar’s last outing for Brazil came in their 2022 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Croatia, with the 31-year-old hinting after that penalty shootout setback that he could bow out with 124 caps to his name.
He has said of carrying on with the Selecao: “After a lot of pressure from family and friends [to return to the national team], you start giving value to everything you did.
“When you are with your people, your family, they put you in your place and make you see it is worth it to continue being happy by wearing Brazil’s shirt.”
Neymar’s debut for Brazil dates back to 2010.
The CBF is hesitant to overly celebrate his achievement of reaching 78 goals, as their records, which vary slightly from the official ones, indicate that Pele has scored 95 goals for the South American nation when considering all of his international appearances.
The former girlfriend of Antony, Gabriela Cavallin, has alleged that the Man Utd winger became extremely jealous after she liked posts featuring Neymar.
She has made a series of accusations, including claims of physical and emotional abuse by the Brazilian footballer.
Among these allegations is the assertion that Antony sent Gabriela 13 insulting messages within just one minute.
Additionally, he reportedly reacted with anger when she engaged with social media posts from Neymar’s close friend Gil Cebola, which also involved the Brazilian national team player.
Gabriela is pursuing her case through the appropriate authorities, and Brazilian publication UOL has obtained access to photos, screenshots from mobile phones, and the allegations made against Antony.
When it comes to the Neymar saga, it is claimed that Antony said: “What I don’t understand is that everything Gil Cebola posted about Neymar you liked. Even though it’s an old photo. There’s even a commented photo.”
Gabriela has claimed that Antony said in a series of messages that were sent across the space of just one minute: “I never want to see you in front of me again in my life. Ridiculous. Males can’t see. You’re disgusting. You still leave WhatsApp. Who’s there? What girls? Answer. Synic (sic). Destroyer of lives.”
Antony is said to have posted on another occasion: “It was already you and me. I hope you die, f*ck you. You even left WhatsApp, how disgusting are you really?”
Subsequently, it came to light that Antony attempted to contact Gabriela, although she did not respond.
Audio recordings that have now surfaced purportedly capture Antony apologising for his previous instances of erratic conduct and seeking forgiveness.
However, there are allegations that Antony damaged Gabriela’s phone on two distinct occasions, with witnesses providing evidence to corroborate these claims.
Back in June, Antony issued a statement refuting the allegations made against him after a complaint was filed with the police in Sao Paulo.
Neymar’s impending move to Saudi Arabia is nearing completion following Paris Saint-Germain’s agreement with Al-Hilal and the finalisation of personal terms.
L’Equipe reports that PSG and the Saudi Pro League team have come to terms on Neymar’s transfer.
The 31-year-old Brazilian has already committed to a two-year contract that will see him earn a total of €160 million (£138 million or $175 million).
Neymar’s six-year tenure in Paris seems to be concluding quietly. His absence from play since March and his pursuit of reconstructive ankle ligament surgery highlight the injury challenges that have persisted since his record-breaking transfer from Barcelona in 2017.
Despite netting 118 goals for PSG, Neymar’s relationship with the club’s fans has been turbulent in recent times.
This tension reached a peak when the ultras staged a protest outside his residence earlier this year. This summer, both Neymar and Marco Verratti were advised to seek new clubs.
Neymar will join a cadre of global superstars who have migrated to Saudi Arabia this season.
At Al-Hilal, he will collaborate with the likes ofKalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and former Barcelona player Malcom.
Neymar is on the verge of moving to Saudi Arabia after Paris Saint-Germain agreed a deal with Al-Hilal, with personal terms already settled.
According to L’Equipe, PSG and the Saudi Pro League side have reached an agreement for the transfer of Neymar.
The 31-year-old Brazilian has already agreed to a two-year-contract that will see him pocket €160 million (£138 million or $175 million) in total.
Neymar’s six-year spell in the French capital looks to be ending with a whimper. He has been out of action since March, and has undergone reconstructive ankle ligament surgery in an attempt to solve the injury issues that have plagued him since his world-record move from Barcelona in 2017.
Despite scoring 118 goals for PSG, Neymar has had an up-and-down relationship with the club’s fans in recent years, which came to a head when their ultras protested outside his home earlier this year. This summer, he was told, along with Marco Verratti, to find a new club. Neymar will join a host of global superstars who have flocked to Saudi Arabia this summer.
At Al-Hilal, he’ll link up with Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and former Barcelona man Malcom.
Amid swirling transfer rumours connecting Neymar to Barcelona and Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reportedly established a minimum price tag for the Brazilian superstar.
After a six-year tenure with PSG, Neymar is said to be seeking a departure from Paris.
Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions, and Premier League heavyweights Chelsea have emerged as potential landing spots should Neymar decide to leave PSG.
According to Sky Sports, PSG is open to considering offers ranging from £50 million ($63.74 million) to £80 million ($102 million) for Neymar.
With the aim of embarking on a new chapter in their pursuit of success, PSG has witnessed Lionel Messi relocate to the United States, and both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have been listed for potential transfers.
In line with their objective to assemble a youthful team, PSG has already secured the signature of Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos from Benfica.
Furthermore, they are nearing the finalisation of a transfer deal with Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona and continue to express interest in securing the services of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.
It appears that PSG envisions a revamped attacking lineup for the upcoming 2023–24 season. Nevertheless, the task of offloading Neymar might prove challenging due to the limited number of potential suitors.
Reportedly, Chelsea’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is not interested in bringing Neymar to Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Barcelona has reportedly declined the opportunity to take Neymar on loan, even with Ousmane Dembele being suggested as part of the exchange.
Adding to the complexity, Neymar’s father has dismissed claims that his son is inclined to depart from PSG during this summer transfer window.
Reports suggest that, Mauricio Pochettino is not inclined to reunite with Paris Saint-Germain’s forwardNeymar at Chelsea.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, the Brazilian superstar is seeking an exit from the Parc des Princes.
Following this, several top European clubs, including Chelsea, have been linked with Neymar.
However, as per the Evening Standard, the manager of Chelsea is uninterested in adding the 31-year-old player to his squad.
Pochettino had previously collaborated with Neymar during his one-year tenure at PSG in the 2021-22 season.
It appears that the Argentine manager is uncertain whether the forward aligns with the style of play he intends to establish at Chelsea, hence, he is not in favour of the club pursuing Neymar’s services.
Chelsea is presently undergoing a comprehensive squad transformation under Pochettino’s direction, shifting their focus to potential rising stars like Moises Caicedo instead of established names.
Sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are in agreement with Pochettino’s vision and also concur that Neymar is not a viable option for Chelsea.
Neymar may continue with PSG for the immediate future, as his father, who is also his agent, has asserted that his son’s destiny lies in Paris, and has criticised reports of a transfer request.
Should he decide to stay at PSG, the winger is expected to return to action in theLigue 1 opener against Lorient on Saturday.
Paris Saint-Germain’s pursuit ofOusmane Dembele from Barcelona might result in Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, moving in the opposite direction.
It’s anticipated that PSG will finalize the acquisition of Dembele by the end of the week, as they have reached an agreement on personal terms with the French winger and are prepared to pay Barcelona €50 million to secure his release.
Forbes reports that as part of negotiations aimed at convincing Barcelona to part ways with Dembele, PSG has proposed loaning their former player Neymar back to the Catalans.
PSG has been keen to offload Neymar and perceives this situation as an opportunity to unload the player for whom they set a world record transfer fee of €222 million to secure from Barcelona in 2017.
Neymar had a stint with Barcelona from 2013 to 2017, forming one of the most formidable attacking partnerships in global football alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. During his time at the Catalan club, they collectively scored 364 goals over three seasons.
Xavi sends Dembele Neymar warning Meanwhile, Xavi Hernandez sought to scare Ousmane Dembele away from a transfer to PSG by emphasising how Neymar has fared since leaving Barcelona for the French capital, SB Nation reports.
Neymar has struggled with injuries, been booed by supporters and failed to bring the Champions League to PSG since completing a world record move to the Parisians in 2017.
Xavi is incredibly disappointed by Dembele after being told by the Frenchman before the 3-0 Clasico win over Real Madrid that he wanted to leave.
Neymar scores stunning goal Earlier, Sports Brief reported Neymar Junior made a grand comeback, delivering a sensational goal against Jeonbuk during a pre-season match for Paris Saint-Germain. The 31-year-old had been absent from PSG’s pre-season games until the friendly encounter with the South Korean club on Thursday. His return to action had been shrouded in mystery amid rumours of a possible departure.
However, on August 3, Luis Enrique granted his star forward some game time,and Neymar seized the opportunity with an astonishing goal.
The Brazilian’s future has been a topic of intense speculation during the summer transfer window, with several clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal being mentioned as potential destinations for the 31-year-old.
While reports from FourFourTwo have suggested that Neymar is discontented at PSG, recent developments suggest that he will continue his tenure at Parc des Princes in the foreseeable future.
This news is likely to bring some clarity and relief to PSG and their fans, as they can now count on Neymar’s presence as they aim for success in the upcoming season.
Neymar posted on the social media site Threads, “Party season 23/24”, with a French flag emoji and a picture of a private plane in the background.
Luis Enrique who was appointed as the new manager of PSG was quizzed in his press conference about the Brazilian forward. Enrique, as quoted by The Guardian said:
“I haven’t spoken with Neymar yet. If he should be part of my project? This kind of information I would like to give it to you, but it is part of an internal information.”
Neymar scored 13 goals and assisted 11 in his 20 league appearances for PSG last season.
Neymar, who reportedly turned down a move to Chelsea in 2010 when he was at Brazilian side Santos, still has two years left on his contract at PSG.
The French side still wants to win the Champions League for the first time and after seeing Lionel Messi leave the club this summer for Inter Miami, and Mbappe stalling on signing a new deal, losing Neymar would be a huge blow to take for their silverware ambitions.
Neymar’s transfer key to Felix
Sports Brief has previously reported the immediate future of Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix was hugely dependent on the transferdecision of Neymar Jr.
With the Brazilian now set to stay at the French capital, Felix would look to explore his other options which would include staying at the La Liga club.
Paris Saint-Germain football star, Neymar has been slapped with a hefty fine of 16 million reais (£2.6m/$3.3m) for constructing a lake at his mansion in Brazil.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On June 22, it came to light that the 31-year-old was being investigated by the local council in Mangaratiba, a coastal town near Rio de Janeiro, for various “irregularities” in a grand construction project.
Construction work was halted at that time, and Neymar is now facing the consequences for not adhering to planning regulations and carrying out building activities without the necessary permits.
WHAT THEY SAID
The council issued a statement regarding the matter, stating that four fines have been imposed for “environmental violations in the construction of an artificial lake at the player’s mansion.” It further highlighted that numerous infractions had been identified, including Neymar undertaking “environmentally regulated work without authorization,” as well as unauthorized land excavation, vegetation removal, and alteration of water sources without proper documentation.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Neymar has faced criticism through social media posts, with his mansion site being cordoned off and construction work coming to a halt. Despite this, reports suggest that he has still visited the site and even hosted a party, but repercussions are now being enforced.
WHAT NEXT?
Neymar, who has been out of action for PSG since February due to ankle surgery, acquired the property in question in 2016.
The mansion, boasting amenities like a spa and helipad, reportedly sits on a vast 10,000 square metre plot.
Neymar expressed his sadness upon learning that his teammateLionel Messi will be departing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the month, following their two-year stint together in the French capital.
Messi’s tenure at PSG has been met with disappointment by a portion of the club’s supporters, who have criticized and booed the 35-year-old forward for his inability to guide the team to Champions League glory.
As reported by Sportskeeda, Neymar disclosed that both he and Messi had given their best efforts to bring success to the Parisian club, but unfortunately, their expectations did not materialize. Neymar conveyed his best wishes to Messi for his future endeavors.
“Brother… it didn’t turn out as we thought but we tried everything. It was a pleasure to share 2 more years with you. Good luck in your new stage and be happy. I love you #leomessi”
Perhaps for the last time, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr shared the same color.
Neymar and Messi along with Luis Suarez, forged one of the deadliest attacking partnerships in history with Barcelona when the trio guided the Spanish to numerous titles, including a treble in 2015.
Chelsea and Newcastle enter Messi’s bid
Meanwhile, Premier League clubs Chelsea and Newcastle are making a late play to sign Lionel Messi afterParis Saint-Germain confirmed the Argentine’s departure from the club, Football Transfers reports.
Barcelona, Inter Miami and Al Hilal have all been linked with a move for the 35-year-old forward with the Saudi club offering a whopping $400m deal to lure Messi to the Middle East.
Both EPL clubs are now banking on Messi’s desire to play competitive football in Europe and make a play for the superstar, hoping to convince him to move to England.
PSG loses over 600k followers
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Paris Saint-Germain have started to feel the effect of Lionel Messi’s departure from the club after the club’s social media pages witnessed a massive drop in followers.
PSG announced the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave the Ligue 1 champions before his final game against Clermont on Saturday, June 3rd, and the news had caused a reaction from fans.
Die-hard Messi fans unfollowed the Paris club on the social media app Instagram upon hearing the news of the Argentine’s departure.
This conversation between Guardiola and Neymar comes shortly after news surfaced indicating that Manchester United could be among the clubs expressing interest in acquiring the winger’s services.
Neymar had an exceptional individual season in France before his involvement was hindered by an ankle injury, cutting short his further participation.
Neymar suffered ankle injury in 2023
PSG were then eliminated from the Champions League, provoking angry reactions from the club’s ultras, who have now demanded that Neymar and Lionel Messi leave the club.
While Messi will be a free agent,Neymar remains contracted until 2027 and it remains to be seen if the French side will want to cash in on him.
As L’Euipe reports, Guardiola checked in on the 31-year-old, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Manchester City will move in for him.
On paper, Manchester City are among the few clubs that can pay the astronomical wages of the former Barcelona man. The Mirror adds that Manchester United are also tempted by the possibility of bringing Neymar to Old Trafford.
How Guardiola could line up with Neymar
Despite his injury concerns, Neymar is a world-class player who would readily walk into any team.
Should Guardiola’s phone calls turn into a move to the Etihad, Sports Brief takes a look at how he would fit Guardiola’s plans. The Spanish manager has shown over the years that he is not afraid to tweak his system.
1. As a left winger
This is the Brazilian’s position of strength. he has played a majority of his career from the left wing due to the lethal nature of his right foot. Jack Grealish has, however, made this position his own this season after initially struggling since joining from Aston Villa.
2. As a secondary striker
Should Guardiola stick with Grealish on the left wing, Neymar could easily be moved into a secondary striker position.
It is the same position he adopted under Tite in the Brazil national team set up to allow for Vinicius Junior’s inclusion into the team.
Guardiola’s 3-2-4-1 formation would see him play alongside Kevin De Bruyne, just behind Erling Haaland and just in front of a double pivot midfield, usually of John Stones and Rodri, with Grealish and Bernardo Silva covering the flanks.
This could also solve the Ilkay Gundogan issue. The skipper is yet to agree a new deal with the club.
3. As a number 10
This is highly unlikely given that Guardiola rarely uses the 4-2-3-1 formation to allow for the number 10 to play behind the striker. However, De Bruyne slightly dropping in deep could allow Neymar to play in between two wingers, just behind the main striker.
Guardiola could as easily come up with a different position for the talented forward. It would be exciting to see what he adds to the current Manchester City team should he join this summer.
Neymar skips title celebrations
Sports Brief has also reported that Neymar elected not to travel to Strasbourg, where a solitary Lionel Messi goal secured a 1-1 draw for the Parisians and confirmed their second successive Ligue 1 title.
The Brazilian instead attended the showcase Formula 1 event in Monaco and was pictured alongside Hollywood superstars like Tom Holland, Orlando Bloom, and Michael Douglas – a decision that has not gone down well with the club.
Neymar’s absence from their title celebrations has reportedly been seen as an ‘act of provocation’ by the PSG hierarchy, as his exit this summer appears increasingly likely.
Instead of joining his teammates in Strasbourg, Neymar, the star player of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), chose not to travel, but joins Monaco Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s sole goal secured a 1-1 draw, ultimately securing PSG’s second consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Neymar, who has been a crucial contributor to PSG’s success this season, with 13 goals and 11 assists, has been dealing with an injury since March when he twisted his ankle.
Despite being sidelined, the Brazilian forward made his presence felt at the prestigious Formula 1 event in Monaco, where he was photographed alongside Hollywood celebrities such as Tom Holland, Orlando Bloom, and Michael Douglas.
Neymar snubs Ligue 1 Title celebration for Monaco Grand Prix
However, despite Christophe Galtier telling reporters the forward’s absence was due to mobility issues, French outlet, L’Equipe have claimed his decision has not gone down well with the club.
Neymar’s absence from their title celebrations has reportedly been seen as an ‘act of provocation’ by the PSG hierarchy, as his exit this summer appears increasingly likely.
The Brazilian has come in for staunch criticism this campaign, with more vocal supporters going as far as to verbally abuse the player outside his own home in France.
Neymar’s absences fuel transfer rumours
Yet another absence from team activity has led to increasing reports of a potential move away from the club, with rumoursindicating Neymar could join the Premier League.
According to a report by 90 min , Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United are touted as possible destinations, while Man City coach, Pep Guardiola has reportedly already been in contact with the Brazilian.
Neymar celebrates with Formula 1 stars with Poker plays
The 31-year-old forward wasn’t the only high-profile PSG player to miss out on their Ligue 1 triumph this weekend, with Messi attending a Coldplay concert in Barcelona just a day after starring in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
Both players’ futures in the French capital look uncertain, as they promise to become two transfer sagas that could dominate this summer’s window.
Neymar discusses attending Formula 1
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Neymar attended the Monaco GP on Sunday a day after his club claimed Ligue 1.
The Brazilian was pictured meeting Spider-Man star, Tom Holland at the venue while PSG celebrated its title win.
Kylian Mbappe has allegedly decided not to go ahead with the one-year extension option in his current Paris Saint-Germain contract. As a result, he will become a free agent at the end of the upcoming summer.
Last May, the striker signed a new three-year contract with PSG, with the final year of the deal being subject to his decision for renewal.
Neymar says no competition between himself and Mbappe
He has long been linked with an exit from the Parc des Princes, with Real Madrid heavily referenced, despite penning that deal.
Mbappe previously refused to commit his future to PSG following suggestions of an exit.
“For now, a second World Cup,” the France international said in November, when quizzed over his alleged transfer request. “After that, I don’t know.”
It was not until March that he returned to the issue.
“I have just taken part in the viewing of the club’s renewal campaign for the 23/24 season.
At no time was I informed of the content of the interview with my interlocutor. It looked like a basic interview at a club marketing day. I disagree with this posted video.”
Also complicating the situation has also been the French striker’s reported feud with attacking teammate, Neymar Junior.
The superstars are said to have fallen out over the order of penalty-takers earlier this season in a Ligue 1 clash, with the Brazilian liking a series of posts which appeared to criticise and undermine the Frenchman.
L’Equipe reports the French star now has no desire of taking up his contract option through until 2025, meaning he will be out of contract next summer.
While tensions between him and the club are said to have calmed,Mbappe is keen on playing football elsewhere.
As outlined by L’Equipe earlier this month, Neymar’s Instagram account ‘liked’ a post which slammed his teammate, while his Twitter account meanwhile is said to have ‘liked’ a post suggesting he and Lionel Messi were happier when they played for Barcelona.
Last month, the striker criticised PSG’s season ticket renewal campaign which focused heavily on his input.
Kylian Mbappe
It was the latest sign that there was an uncomfortable relationship between the two, with cracks starting to appear.
Taking to Instagram with a statement, Mbappe wrote:
“I have just taken part in the viewing of the club’s renewal campaign for the 23/24 season. At no time was I informed of the content of the interview with my interlocutor. It looked like a basic interview at a club marketing day. I disagree with this posted video.”
Mbappe added that was why he was fighting for individual image rights.
“PSG is a big club and a big family, but it is certainly not Kylian Saint-Germain.”
The 24-year-old has 40 goals to his name in all competitions and managed to break the club’s goal-scoring record, overtaking former Manchester United striker, Edinson Cavani in the process.
Manchester City targets PSG midfielder
Earlier Sports Brief reported that Manchester City are monitoring a PSG midfielder with an intention for a summer swoop.
Marco Veratti, who has spent the best part of his career at the French capital, appears a likely replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.
It remains to be seen if this transfer will materialise or if the Italian will commit to a new contract at the French capital.
The club’s supporters have recently made headlines due to their recent protests outside Neymar’s home.
The PSG supporters demanded that the Brazilian quit the team this summer, as reported by The Mirror, who turned up outside the Brazilian’s house.
Messi’s suspension for travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s consent has Messi’s PSG supporters fuming as well.
According to ESPN, Galtier has now denounced the supporters for their behaviour, calling it unacceptable for supporters to gather outside a player’s residence.
“Regarding the protests in front of a player’s home, we have to be careful with that. Private life must remain private,” he said.
“I can understand the anger, the disappointment of our fans. You may protest at the training ground or at the PSG office, or after a match at the Parc des Princes. But I cannot accept it at anyone’s house, whether it’s Neymar or anyone else,” he added.
Galtier also added that it was the club’s decision to suspend Messi and that he had nothing to do with it.
“I’m employed by the club, and that is my role. The decision was nothing to do with me. I was informed of the decision,” he explained.
Following the protests against two of their star players, PSG have reportedly ramped up security at their training ground and in front of Messi and Neymar’s homes, SportsKeeda reported.
Neymar responds to angry fans
Neymar has taken to social media to respond to angry Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
Fans protested outside the Brazilian’s house, asking him to leave the club alongside Lionel Messi this summer.
Neymar has been a part of the French club since 2017, when he joined for a world record fee, Sports Brief reported.
In a post where she informed her 3.8 million followers of the news, the model mentioned the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar.
In a series of adorable pictures the couple posted, Neymar can be seen grinning mischievously while holding Biancardi’s expanding baby bump.
According to Marca, the baby will be Neymar’s second child, as he has an 11-year-old named David Lucca with his ex-girlfriend and social media personality, Carolina Dantas.
Neymar and Biancardi await arrival
In the photos, Biancardi was in blue jeans and a crocheted top which was styled with a matching cardigan. Neymar, meanwhile, was dressed in a cream T-shirt and blue shorts.
The photos were coupled with a lengthy caption that read:
“We dream of your life, we plan your arrival and know that you are here to complete our love, leave our days much happier. You’re going to join a beautiful family, with a brother, grandparents, uncles and aunts who already love you very much!”
The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who is arguably one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, has never been afraid to spend a lot of money on things that make him happy.
After learning he would miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury he sustained in February, the 31-year-old forward started playing poker.
Most recently, Neymar lost €1 million playing online on Tuesday night, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward didn’t appear to be phased by the significant loss.
After almost two hours of playing online games, the Brazilian rather amusingly reacted by pretending to play a sad flute melody in response to losing that significant sum.
Following his 2017 signing with PSG, Neymar became the most expensive player in history.
His salary with Les Parisiens is valued at €33.5m per year while his wages are currently over €600,000 per week.
PSG legend defends Neymar
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain icon, Rai has hailed Neymar for his immense talent and being a good person despite constant criticism from the media, PSG Talk reports.
The Parisians have been urged to offload the 31-year-old forward after his performance for the club dipped immediately after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Neymar’s current deal with PSG expires in 2025 but the Brazilian star has reiterated that he is keen on staying in the French capital beyond next year.
Ex-Bayern star slams Neymar
It was reported earlier on that, Philipp Lahm ripping into PSG’s attack following their disappointing exit from theUEFA Champions League.
The Parisians suffered yet another UCL setback after bowing out of the competition in the round of 16 at the hands of a ruthless Bayern Munich.
Christophe Galtier’s star trio of Lionel Messi – named FIFA Men’s Best Player earlier this month – Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe all drew blanks.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain were viciously attacked by Bundesliga club Augsburg after Bayern Munich eliminated them from the Champions League earlier this week.
PSG was eliminated in the round of 16 by Bayern Munich over the course of two legs, prolonging their wait for their first Champions League victory.
Against the Bavarians, PSG’s feared trio unexpectedly failed to score even once, with Messi and Mbappe in particular being muffled at the Allianz Arena. Due to an ankle injury that would end his season, Neymar was unable to play.
Augsburg played Bayern Munich on Saturday in a top-flight game, and despite losing 5-3, they took solace in the fact that they did score thrice against the league champions – a fete PSG couldn’t.
Ironically, had Christophe Galtier’s side scored three goals over the two ties, the game could have gone to extra time and possibly penalties. Mergim Berisha scored twice on march 11th to add to the strike he got in the first leg against the same opposition in a surprise 1-0 win in September.
Fans reactions
Fans trooped online to respond to the online troll.
@jogabonito said: “Mbappé alone has more trophies than your club. Know your place.”
@ahmdan said: “I’d never thought I’d see the day where Berisha outscores the whole PSG team”
PSG bounced back to beat Brest in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening to cement their lead in France, while Augsburg’s defeat saw them remain in 13th place.
Messi achieves new milestone Sports Brief had earlier reported that Messi reached 300 club assists as Paris Saint-Germain wiped their midweek wounds with a hard-fought victory over Brest.
The genius number 10 added further gloss to his greatest of all-time claim when he set up Kylian Mbappe, who made no mistake by rounding the goalkeeper before slotting home from close range.
After their Champions League elimination, four ofKylian Mbappe’s teammates from Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly not “on good terms” with him. After losing 3-0 on aggregate to Bayern Munich, the Parisians were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16 for the second consecutive year.
It was the fifth time in the previous 12 seasons that PSG had been eliminated in the Round of 16. According to Sporkskeeda, Mbappe avoids communication with three teammates, including Marco Verratti, because he is dissatisfied with the team’s performance in Europe.
The Frenchman is furious that Verratti, who was ejected twice and was the reason PSG lost 2-0 in Munich, was to blame for the team’s demise.
The reports further state that there is already a factor of jealousy between Mbappe and the Italian midfielder.
Verratti was reportedly the owner’s favourite before Mbappe’s arrival in 2017. Hence, losing that title hasn’t gone down well with the former Pescara midfielder.
Mbappe also reportedly doesn’t talk with compatriot Presnel Kimpembe and Brazil star Neymar Junior. Mbappe and Kimpembe are not friends, nor are they enemies. They have just never been close, the reports indicate.
For Neymar, he is still annoyed that Mbappe is trying to push him out of the club.
Mbappe regrets not joining Real Madrid
Meanwhile, Mbappe is apparently regretting his decision to extend his deal with Paris Saint-Germain, just a few months after signing a three-year contraction extension with the Ligue 1 champions.
The 24-year-old forward made a U-turn on joining Real Madrid last summer despite having a verbal agreement to join the Spanish giants before the start of the 2022/23 season.
According to Madrid Universal, Mbappe’s entourage called Real Madrid at the end of the last summer, admitting the forward regrets his decision to extend his contract with PSG.
‘Mbappe should join Real Madrid’ In related news, former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher believes Mbappe should leave PSG urgently for the sake of his career, Football Espana reported.
Mbappe discusses his club future
Sports Brief also reported on Mbappe discussing his club future following PSG’s early elimination from the Champions League. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from France despite signing a bumper deal with PSG earlier this season.
Mbappe has now revealed he is solely focused on winning the Ligue 1 title with PSG but did not discuss what the future held.
Brazil’s Neymar underwent successful surgery at a hospital in Qatar on his right ankle after suffering an injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the year.
The 31-year-old was forced off the field last month during PSG’s Ligue 1 match against rival Lille due to an ankle injury.
The Brazilian magician scored in the tense 4-3 victory, but he landed awkwardly after a tackle in the 51st minute and required extensive treatment before being carried away.
Neymar was seen arriving at Aspetar Hospital in Doha at the crack of dawn on Friday, and the procedure was over in a matter of hours.
“Neymar Jr was successfully operated on late this morning,” Paris Saint-Germain said in a statement. “The player will now follow a protocol of rest and treatment.” The operation was led by British surgeon, James Calder, who has treated several European football stars.
As reported by Mirror Football, Neymar suffered the same ankle injury during Brazil’s World Cup game against Serbia in Qatar.
It was reported initially the playmaker had suffered a sprained ankle, but further tests suggest he has weakened his ligaments, which – if not treated – might end his career. Neymar spent two years sidelined Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona in a move worth €222 million in the summer of 2017.
His latest injury, which has sidelined him for four months, means he has been out of action for PSG for 731 days, equivalent to two full years, as per Marca.
Neymar failed to play 104 matches in a PSG shirt in all competitions, making only 173 appearances. This means he has been injured in approximately 37.5 percent of the games in which he has been available for the Parisian club.
Neymar keen on PSG extension
Sports Brief also reported on Neymar reportedly having unfinished business at PSG and not being willing to leave even if close ally, Lionel Messi departs.
The Argentine genius has been touted to be on his way out despite only linking up with his former Barcelona teammate at the Ligue 1 champions in 2021. However, Neymar wants to win over his critics and is eager to help deliver long-awaited European glory to PSG by winning the UEFA Champions League.
Neymar is anticipated to miss the second leg of Paris Saint-Champions Germain’s League match against Bayern Munich due to an ankle injury, according to head coach Christophe Galtier.
After being carried off the pitch during PSG’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Lille on February 19, scans revealed Neymar had damaged ankle ligaments.
As PSG needed to overturn a 1-0 deficit after losing the first leg at the Parc des Princes, where fellow attacking star Kylian Mbappe was forced to play only as a substitute due to injury, the Brazil international’s injury put his participation against Bayern in doubt right away.
PSG’s fears were confirmed as Galtier previewed Saturday’s Ligue 1 meeting with Nantes, saying: “In the next two games, we won’t have Neymar available.”
“I think he will miss out against Bayern Munich.”
A medical update issued by the club, meanwhile, said Neymar was continuing his rehabilitation and would be reassessed on Monday—two days before PSG’s trip to Germany.
Neymar’s absence did not hamper PSG last time out, as Mbappe and Lionel Messi starred in a 3-0 thrashing of Marseille to move the Ligue 1 leaders eight points clear at the summit.
That win saw Mbappe move level with PSG’s all-time record scorer Edinson Cavani with 200 goals for the club, while Messi claimed the 700th senior goal of his club career.
Having exchanged assists for all three goals, Messi and Mbappe have now combined for 10 goals in Ligue 1 this season, which is the most in the division and four more than Neymar and Mbappe.
However, Galtier dismissed suggestions PSG were a more balanced side with Neymar sidelined, saying: “Our block is much more compact, denser.
“With the absence of Neymar, instead of having two midfielders, we will be with three midfielders and two attackers.
“To tell you that Neymar’s absence is trivial… no. It’s a detrimental absence for us.”
While Wednesday’s trip to Bayern is viewed as make-or-break for PSG’s season, Galtier knows Nantes – who have won two of their last four league games against the Parisians – will provide a stern test.
“The most important game is the one that’s coming. Our squad is weakened by suspensions and injuries, we have to make our way in the league,” he said.
“I hope the players don’t have the game against Bayern on Wednesday in a corner of their heads. It’s important to have a third consecutive victory in the league.”
Neymar may not play against Bayern Munich for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League due to ankle ligament damage.
On a stretcher, the 31-year-old was removed from the field during PSG’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Lille on Sunday.
Neymar scored PSG’s second goal after setting up Kylian Mbappe for the first, but he injured his right ankle in a collision with Benjamin André early in the second half.
Later, PSG declared that Neymar had sustained a sprain rather than a fracture.
On Tuesday, they announced further scans had indicated ligament damage, and Neymar must now wait until next week for a firmer timescale to be put on his recovery.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, the standard recovery time for such an injury is between six and eight weeks, which would rule him out of the second leg of PSG’s last-16 tie with Bayern on March 8.
17 – Neymar has delivered 17 assists to Kylian Mbappé in Ligue 1, the joint highest tally of assists from one player to another since Opta collect the data (2006/07), along with Angel Di Maria to Edinson Cavani. Bromance. #PSGLOSCpic.twitter.com/3mnpcwajw1
In order to balance his Paris Saint-Germain team, Christophe Galtier rejected suggestions that he should lose Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, or Neymar.
The Ligue 1 giants’ most recent title charge has been led by the attacking trio, who is probably the most gifted frontline in European sport.
However, the squad has only won two of its last five games in the top level since the World Cup, where Argentina captain Messi upset France forward Mbappe in the championship game.
Prior to Wednesday’s game against Montpellier, Galtier scoffed at claims that the team is overly top-heavy.
“We have three incredibly strong attacking players,” he said. “Are you saying that we have to lose one of these three players to be balanced? That would be a mistake.
“[Our level] is insufficient though, in terms of points per game. We must quickly find a higher level of play, and above all score points.
“It happens in any season, that there is a bad period. We have a busy month ahead of us. January was not good, but now we are all working to remedy it.”
Galtier further acknowledged star men Mbappe and Messi underperformed in the 1-1 draw with Reims, but he stressed the blame lies with the collective rather than the duo.
“Kylian and Leo didn’t achieve what they usually achieve on an attacking level, but it is not a question of their state of mind,” he added.
“With our organisation and our balance, we must find something else. We are working on it. Whatever the system, everyone has to give more on the pitch.”
Neymar continued his rich vein of form in front of the goal with a cheeky goal against Stade Reims on Sunday evening.
The Brazil international’s strike was not enough as ten-man Paris Saint-Germain shared the spoils at the Parc des Princes.
Despite being the brightest of PSG’s vaunted attacking trio, Neymar was withdrawn after 85 minutes,
How did Neymar score?
After a neat build-up from PSG coupled with some clumsy defending from Stade Reims, Neymar was in the right place at the right time to pounce on a loose ball.
The ex-Barcelona ace then rounded up the goalkeeper before cheekily slotting the ball home to give PSG the lead, Neymar was rated the best PSG player despite not playing full throttle.
Neymar scores but PSG draw
On-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun ran through to score a remarkable 96th-minute equaliser as Reims held 10-man Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 stalemate on Sunday.
It looked like Neymar’s strike early in the second half would be enough for the Parisians to take all three points despite substitute Marco Verratti being sent off shortly after that goal.
However, an impressive Reims side got the draw they richly deserved when Balogun broke away to fire home right at the death.
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, a midfielder for the Black Stars, has admitted that Brazilian superstar Neymar was his childhood hero.
The 26-year-old shared details of his upbringing, including how he looked up to Neymar and used YouTube to study his playing technique.
“It’s Neymar Jr,” Kyereh told pulse.com.gh when asked about his all-time favourite footballer. “The first time I saw him when he played for Santos at his first club in Brazil, he was 16 years and around that time and I was 12 years old.
“And it was the style and enjoyment watching him play what I loved about him. And since then I always checked on YouTube for new skill videos of him playing football. I will get my ball and meet with friends or alone to learn the dribbling skills he did in the videos.
“Back then nobody knew him like now I told my close friends about him and seeing his career now is an inspiration. At the same time following his career and building my own career step by step to achieve the same goals.”
With his participation for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the World Cup in Qatar over the previous 12 months, Kyereh’s career has experienced a significant upswing.
He also obtained a significant transfer from St. Pauli to Freiburg last summer, and he has already scored twice for the Bundesliga team. He hopes to advance his career by emulating his idol, Neymar, and pursuing the same objectives.
What happened? The Selecao entered that tournament as favourites to claim a sixth global crown, but their quest for more major honours came to a close at the quarter-final stage when suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia.
There have been suggestions that Neymar, who is now 30 years of age, may have graced such a stage for the last time, but iconic countryman Ronaldo believes the Paris Saint-Germain forward will add to his haul of 124 caps and pull clear of Pele as his nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.
What they said:Ronaldo has told AP: “I think Neymar is very upset with the result of the World Cup for the Brazil national team. It’s normal that he’s feeling that way for now, but I’m also sure that he will come back stronger and continue playing with the national team. He’s still young… I think he can play the next World Cup.”
The bigger picture: Neymar, who has never won a senior international title with Brazil, is level with Pele on 77 goals at the top of a notable scoring chart and Ronaldo sees enough determination in the talented playmaker to suggest that he will want to go on to 2026. The two-time World Cup winner added: “I’m very happy that he showed the world a commitment for the last six months, for the Brazil national team. He behaved himself. He took care of himself. And he played a good match, the first match. He got a very strong tackle on his ankle. He made a huge sacrifice to play again for the national team. He played very good in the last match. I think he’s very important for us. So I hope that [he] gets well soon and back strong in the football world with PSG and the Brazil national team.”
