PSG Willing To Pay €300 Million For Neymar And Cristiano Ronaldo

French side, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are reportedly willing to make massive investments to take a higher step next season in a bid to win the European Champions League.

According to the information from France Football, the French side are considering to pay almost €300 million to bring two big stars of world football, Neymar from Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The desire of PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is for someone to replace Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has a contract only until June, and could leave the club.

 

The French publication adds that Neymar is one of the obsessions of Al-Khelaïfi, and the President does not rule out paying the Brazilian’s release clause of €190m.

Asked about a possible transfer, World Cup winner and Brazil’s legendary striker Ronaldo said he thinks Neymar will stay at Barcelona.

He told Canal+: “He will continue at Barça. I do not think he will come out of Barça. He is well adapted to the team and the city. I do not believe that this transfer will be a reality”.

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PSG Willing To Pay €300 Million For Neymar And Cristiano Ronaldo

Neymar Is Human Afterall - Club Legend

Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has leaped to Neymar’s defence by claiming the forward is ‘very professional’ and ‘cannot always perform at an impressive level’.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has failed to score in five matches for the Spanish giants as their recent meltdown worsens.

Luis Enrique’s side were beaten 2-1 by Valencia at the weekend, which came after they were knocked out the Champions League by rivals Atletico Madrid

Neymar put in yet another uninspiring display but Puyol, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career at the Nou Camp, is confident the former Santos star will return to his best form.

Speaking at a media conference at the Laureus Awards, the World Cup winner said: ‘You cannot always be at the highest level.

‘Neymar is still young and he is very professional. We must accept that he cannot always perform at an impressive level. But he will put in great performances again.

‘A bad game for Neymar can still be a good game because he still does spectacular things.’

The Brazilian has 27 goals for Barcelona this season but his recent form has stalled, having failed to score in his side’s last five matches.

 

Neymar Is Human Afterall - Club Legend

Brazil To Fight Barcelona Over Neymar

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has vowed not to give up in its battle to see Neymar turn out at both the Copa America and Olympic Games this summer.

As Goal reported on Thursday, Barcelona communicated to the CBF that they would allow the forward to play in only one tournament – effectively ruling him out of the Copa America.

But while the CBF have confirmed the existence of the letter, they are not willing to admit defeat in the battle ahead of a crucial period for the national team.

A statement reads: “The Brazilian Football Confederation received on Friday afternoon (April 8) a letter signed by the Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, leaving clear the club’s position over the participation of Neymar in the competitions the Brazilian national team will contest in the coming months: the Centenary Copa America and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“The club will only agree to free the player for one of the competitions.”

It continues: “The CBF, by way of the National Team Committee, will make every possible attempt to have Neymar in the Centenary Copa America and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“Neymar has already publicly announced that he wishes to play both competitions for the Brazil national team and we will count on his efforts inside the club.”

Goal

Brazil To Fight Barcelona Over Neymar

Barcelona Won’t Release Neymar For Copa America

Barcelona have announced that they will only allow Neymar to play in the Olympics for Brazil this summer, but not the Copa América.

The Seleção will be involved in both tournaments this summer and the CBF and Dunga were hopeful of having Neymar available for both.

Technically, Barcelona cannot refuse to release Neymar for the Copa América as it is a FIFA tournament. However, the Olympics is not and the club can refuse to release players for the games.

Brazil slightly prioritise the Olympics, having never won the gold medal for football and with the games taking place in Rio de Janeiro.

Dunga and Barca manager Luis Enrique have held talks over recent weeks regarding the Brazil captain’s summer schedule, but Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu told journalists on Saturday that they would not countenance releasing their forward for two tournaments during the off season.

“It will be impossible to convince us [to release the player twice],” Bartomeu said, according to UOL Esporte. “We are aware of the importance [of the Copa America], but our view is that players need to have some rest after two strong seasons.

“We see no problem in Neymar playing at the Olympics,” he said. “The club would be enchanted, and I would take him if I were the Brazilian manager.”

Meanwhile, Bartomeu insisted the club are not worried about the player’s unresolved contract issue, “Barca don’t need to hurry. We won’t put pressure on the player, and instead we will allow him to focus on the competitions,” Bartomeu said.

“I know we won’t have problems because the player himself has already said he wants to stay. Our plan is to have him here until the end of his career.”

Credit: Sambafoot

Barcelona Won’t Release Neymar For Copa America

Neymar Lacks Maturity To Lead Brazil - Zagallo

Mário Zagallo, a world champion for Brazil as a coach and player, praised the quality of Barcelona forward Neymar, ​​but thinks the 24-year-old lacks the maturity to be the captain of the national team.

Another issue addressed by Zagallo was the Brazilian defense, as he thinks the national team would be better with Thiago Silva and Marcelo over David Luiz and Filipe Luís.

Zagallo told Extra: “I like Neymar a lot. He is an exceptional player, he’s got everything it takes to go on even further, but he needs to develop an awareness that he’s leading the Brazilian national team. He can’t step out of line. He’s not as mature as he should be.”

He added: “I’m not a big fan of David Luiz, but Thiago Silva is the best [defender] in the world.

Why he’s left out I do not know, it’s a problem of them, and I don’t want to go into that here.

For example, Marcelo, who is also not playing. For me, he should be the starter on the left side, but the coaching staff has their own way of seeing things. The team would be better with Thiago and Marcelo.”

Credit: Sambafoot

Neymar Lacks Maturity To Lead Brazil - Zagallo

Neymar, Suarez Bet Ahead Of Brazil-Uruguay Clash

Luis Suarez has revealed that he and Barcelona teammate Neymar have a culinary wager riding on their imminent match up, as Brazil face off Uruguay in Recife on Friday evening in South American World Cup qualifying.

The club teammates will face off for their countries, with Suarez representing his country for the first time since the 2014 World Cup after serving a 10 match ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at that tournament.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Suarez revealed that he and Neymar have made a friendly bet on the outcome, “I have a bet with Neymar. The winner gets a burger. He is a great team-mate and we always make jokes at Barcelona.

“But whoever will win this game will be enjoying himself and he who loses will be hearing it from the other. Above all, we are team-mates and friends.”

Uruguay sit in second place in CONMEBOL qualifying, with Brazil back in 4th having already played tough away games in Chile and Argentina, Ecuador are the surprise pace setters in first place. The top four teams qualify for the World Cup in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Credit: Sambafoot

Neymar, Suarez Bet Ahead Of Brazil-Uruguay Clash

Neymar Wants To Play At Olympics And Copa América Centenário

Even after the conversation between Dunga and Luis Enrique last week, there is still no official announcement on Neymar’s participation at the Olympic Games and Copa América Centenário.

Brazilian Football Federation will have another meeting with Barcelona, but Neymar hopes the parties reach an agreement, so that he can play in both tournaments.

He told Globo Esporte: “I want to play both. I’m 24, I have to take advantage of this gas [laughs]. In a few years I will no longer be able to do it all. I think today I have the gas, yes. I don’t know anything about the conversation that Dunga had with the coach. Let’s see what happens. I’ll talk to the coach here and to those responsible for it. I hope to play the two.”

Brazil FA wants Neymar in both competitions, but Barça are playing hardball and want to release the player only for one, so that he would have time to rest between the current and next seasons. Dunga has already indicated that, if given the choice, he prefers to see Neymar in the Olympics.

Source: Sambafoot

Neymar Wants To Play At Olympics And Copa América Centenário

Neymar Charged With Tax Evasion By Brazilian Authorities

Barcelona and Brazil star Neymar was charged on Tuesday by Brazilian authorities with tax evasion and falsifying documents over a seven-year period.

The federal prosecutor’s office alleged that the striker committed the crimes between 2006, when he was just a promising youngster at Brazilian football club Santos, and 2013 when he signed for Barcelona.

In a related development, the Brazillian superstar appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with allegations of corruption and fraud surrounding his transfer to FC Barcelona.

Barcelona said it paid €57m (£43m) for Neymar in 2013 but investigators say the fee was closer to €83m and Barcelona concealed part of the deal.

Neymar spent an hour and a half before the judge.

He has previously denied wrongdoing, in an interview with Brazilian media.

Leaving court, the football star signed autographs for fans.

Barcelona FC says his parents, Neymar da Silva Santos and Nadine Goncalves da Silva Santos, received €40m and his former club, Santos, was paid €17m.

Neymar’s father, who arrived at court with him on Tuesday evening, acts as his agent.

Neymar Charged With Tax Evasion By Brazilian Authorities

2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI Revealed

Over the last few months, more than 20,000 professional footballers from around the globe have been casting their votes for the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI.

Revealed at Monday evening’s FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, the team of the year looks like this:

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer,
Defenders: Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves
Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba,
Forwards: Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Assistant manager of the Netherlands and three-time Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten said: “I think if you have a team with all these champions, as a coach it’s good to be quiet! Wish them good luck and enjoy themselves. They’re all winners, they know exactly what to do.”

For the last seven years FIFA and the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) have been selecting the team of the year on a joint basis, inviting footballers from around the world to choose a goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

Once the votes are counted, the winners are announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, held this year at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.

2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI Revealed

Lionel Messi Scoops 2105 FIFA Ballon d"Or Award

Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world for the fifth time, while US midfielder Carli Lloyd has claimed her first-ever FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award.

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique Martínez and US national team coach Jill Ellis have also been named for the first time as FIFA World Coaches of the Year for Men’s and Women’s Football respectively.

The winners were chosen by the coaches and captains of the national teams as well as by international media representatives invited by FIFA and France Football. The entire electoral procedure was overseen and monitored by PricewaterhouseCoopers Switzerland (PwC).

The awards were presented on Monday evening (11 January 2016) during a 90-minute show at Zurich’s Kongresshaus that was hosted by Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt and British journalist Kate Abdo.

The musical entertainment for the 1,100 guests and TV viewers in over 190 countries and territories around the world was provided by British pop star Leona Lewis and young Croatian cellists Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser, known as 2CELLOS.

This year’s FIFA Fair Play Award was presented to all the football organisations and clubs around the world that are working to support refugees. Former German international Gerald Asamoah, who campaigns for the welfare of refugees, received the award from former South African icon Lucas Radebe on behalf of all the awardees.

This year, the world has witnessed a refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe because of conflict in Syria. Many innocent people have fled their homes in desperate conditions to find safety for themselves and their loved ones. Society has responded and the world of football has also contributed to the cause.

Clubs and football organisations all over the world have acted to help welcome and support refugees as they integrate into local communities.

International players’ union FIFPro received votes from 26,478 professional players from around the world for the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the best team of 2015, with the following result: Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich) in goal; Dani Alves (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Marcelo (Brazil/Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid) and Thiago Silva (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain) in defence; Andrés Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Luka Modrić (Croatia/Real Madrid) and Paul Pogba (France/Juventus) in midfield; and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona) and Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona) in attack.

The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year was also presented after 1.6 million football fans cast their votes on FIFA.com, FIFA on YouTube and francefootball.fr.

This award, which is a tribute to Ferenc Puskás, the captain and star of the 1950s Hungary team, was won by Brazilian Wendell Lira from Goianésia, who topped the poll with 46.7 % of the votes ahead of Lionel Messi (33.3 %) and Alessandro Florenzi (7.1%).

Lionel Messi Scoops 2105 FIFA Ballon d"Or Award

Woodwork Denies Messi, Suarez And Neymar In Draw Aginst Espanyol

Espanyol Hold Barcelona To A Goalles Draw; ‘MSN’ Failed To Score, Yes They Did!

Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by a city rivals, Espanyol on Saturday afternoon at Cornellà-El Prat.

 

The game like all derbies was very intense and fiesty as both teams were tangling each other especially during corners and free kicks. Barcelona hit the post in each half, but Espanyol battled the whole way to frustrate their city rivals and earn a point in front of their new Chinese owner.

Messi under check from Espanyol defenders

Manager Luis Enrique reverted back to his full-strength starting XI, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez in attack but Espanyol showed plenty of gust to start, with Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo in particular posing as the danger man. But it was Barcelona who had the first real look at goal when Alba fluffed a ninth minute chance at the back post.

Luis Suarez battles for the ball against an Espanyol defender

Espanyol stayed difficult to beat as ever, frustrating the Barcelona forward, while using the push of the home crowd to move forward on the counter.

Neymar beats Espanyol defender

Neymar tried breaking the deadlock with a scissor-kick side volley in the 75th minute, and Messi missed with an 89th minute free kick, while at the other end Espanyol nearly stole a late win with Marco Asensio all alone at the back post, but the cross was too heavily for the Real Madrid loanee.

 

These same two teams will renew acquaintances on Wednesday in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Woodwork Denies Messi, Suarez And Neymar In Draw Aginst Espanyol