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Neymar admits to “exaggerated’’ reactions at World Cup

Admission
Paris, July 30, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Ridiculed for faking and diving during a disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia, Brazilian forward Neymar has admitted to “exaggerated” reactions saying he is still learning to deal with frustration.

In a 90-second video made for his sponsors Gillette and published on social media accounts and Brazilian television, Neymar sought to win back fans who criticised his behaviour.

“Studs on my calf, knee in my back, stamp on my foot,” he said.

“You may think I exaggerate and, sometimes, I really do exaggerate. But the fact is that I suffer on the field.

“There’s still a child inside me. Sometimes he enchants the world and sometimes he irritates the world.”

The Paris St Germain (PSG) striker had hoped the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup would elevate him to a similar status enjoyed by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The two players have shared the FIFA World Player of the Year award over the last decade.

Instead, Neymar bowed out at the quarter-finals stage when Brazil lost to Belgium, as fans focused less on his football and more on the dives, rolls and tears he produced.

The 26-year-old former Santos and FC Barcelona player told fans in his homeland he was working to become a better person and deal with the disappointments football threw at him.

Neymar suffered a serious foot injury in February and returned to action just days before the start of the World Cup,

“When I seem rude, it’s not because I am a spoilt child, it’s because I haven’t learnt to deal with frustration,” he said in a voiceover to the black-and-white video.

“It’s taken me time to accept your criticism, it’s taken me time to look into the mirror and transform myself into a new man.

“But I am here, with a new face and an open heart. I fell down but only those that fell down can get up.

“You can keep throwing stones or throw those stones away and help me stand. When I stand on my own two feet, all of Brazil stands with me.”(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Neymar hints at PSG stay after social media picture post

Hint
Paris, May 12, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Brazil forward Neymar posted a picture of himself wearing the 2018/2019 Paris St-Germain (PSG) home shirt on Saturday amid growing speculation he could leave the French champions soon.

“Proud to wear the new jersey and to continue giving you joy,” the 26-year-old striker who is recovering from foot surgery posted on his verified Twitter account.

Media reports claim that Neymar has told PSG directors he wanted to leave the club after only one season.

The Brazilian joined the Ligue 1 club from FC Barcelona for a world record 222 million euros (195.80 million pounds) last August.

The most recent articles say the Brazilian wants to move to Real Madrid, who originally tried to sign him in 2013 before he opted to join FC Barcelona from Santos.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Friday that the player’s father and agent, Neymar Sr, had told PSG his son wanted to leave immediately.

It said his father met Real Madrid directors in December on the day Cristiano Ronaldo received the Ballon d’Or in Paris.

Neymar has been out of action since spraining his ankle and fracturing his fifth metatarsal on Feb. 25.

The injury led him to undergo surgery in Brazil as he bids to regain fitness in time for the June-July World Cup finals in Russia.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Neymar on target to regain fitness by World Cup but PSG future unclear

Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar celebrates a goal prior to his injury. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

 

Fitness
Madrid, May 11, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Brazil forward Neymar aims to get fully fit in time for next month’s FIFA World Cup following foot surgery, but his future at Paris St Germain (PSG) looks rather uncertain.

He was absent from PSG’s Ligue 1 title celebrations in April and was a spectator at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

Neymar watched as PSG beat third tier Les Herbiers 2-0 in the French Cup final to complete a domestic treble.

Reports in the French and Spanish media say Neymar has told PSG directors he wants to quit the club after only one season.

The Brazilian joined the Ligue 1 club from FC Barcelona for a record 222 million euros last August.

The media reported he now wants to move to Real Madrid, who tried to sign him in 2013 before the Brazilian opted for FC Barcelona.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Friday that the player’s father and agent, Neymar Sr., has told PSG his son wants to leave immediately.

The report also said his father met with Madrid directors in December on the same day Cristiano Ronaldo received the Ballon d’Or in Paris.

The 26-year-old has been out of action since spraining his ankle and fracturing his fifth metatarsal on Feb. 25, which led him to undergo surgery in Brazil.

The Brazilian had scored 28 goals and provided 16 assists in 30 appearances in all competitions for PSG before his injury.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Paris St Germain win 12th French Cup title

Record

Paris, May 8, 2018 (ReutersNAN) Paris St Germain beat third division side Les Herbiers 2-0 in the final to win a record-extending 12th French Cup title on Tuesday.

PSG hit the woodwork three times in the opening 20 minutes before prevailing with a goal by Giovani Lo Celso and another from the penalty spot by Edinson Cavani. (Reuters/ NAN)

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Sport

French side PSG dismiss UEFA sanctions report

Report

Paris, April 11, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) French club Paris St Germain have dismissed as “wrong” a report that they face sanctions over their transfer spending.

European soccer’s governing body opened a formal investigation in September into PSG to see if their transfer spending had broken UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that PSG were facing the threat of sanctions after preliminary investigations found that sponsorship contracts worth about 200 million euros have been “overstated”.

Criticising the report as “wrong and directed against the club”, PSG said in a statement later on Wednesday that UEFA had a “clear and transparent vision” of its finances and that the probe was ongoing.

“Paris Saint-Germain is in constant contact with UEFA and will present its case in full serenity April 20 before European football’s governing body,” PSG said. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Felix Ajide

 

Sport

Splashing cash not enough for PSG to deliver in UEFA Champions League

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Cash
Paris, March 7, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) The early exit of Paris St Germain (PSG) from the UEFA Champions League again showed the club’s inability to deliver on the biggest stage in spite of their expensively-assembled team.

The French League 1 leaders were knocked out in the last 16 by Real Madrid 5-2 on aggregate.

They lost 1-2 at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday, never threatening a comeback following their 1-3 defeat in the first leg in Spain.

Without Neymar, who is recovering from ankle surgery, Unai Emery’s side failed to create space against the defending champions.

“All that for this,” wrote French sports daily L’Equipe on their front page.

“PSG disappeared without leaving a trace,” the paper wrote in a column.

Since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took over in 2011, PSG have never reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The French champions were eliminated in the last 16 twice in a row after four consecutive quarter-final exits.

Spending 400 million euros ($497 million) on Neymar and France international Kylian Mbappe did not help.

The Brazilian played poorly in the first leg and his striking partner was nowhere to be seen on Tuesday.

In Ligue 1 however, PSG lead the standings by a massive 14 points after 28 games.

However, it could be said that they lack the competitiveness of a bigger league to prepare them for the Champions League knockout stage.

Former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, however, believes the club founded in 1970 have to build their identity.

“PSG is just a group of players,” he told Italian TV.

“You cannot buy ideas. The club should always come first. I thought I would see players with the bit between their teeth. I think PSG need to become an institution.”

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said he was “disappointed by a few players,” among which should feature midfielder Marco Verratti, who picked up a second yellow card for arguing with referee Felix Brych.

It was Verratti’s third dismissal in the Champions League, and it appeared to seal his team’s fate as they already were 1-0 down after Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener.

Al-Khelaifi, however, is convinced the club’s method is the right one.

“I don’t think it’s a mindset problem. The players believed in it and we were ready,” he said.

“We will not change our investment strategy. We will continue with our project notably with those two players (Neymar and Mbappe) because they are the future of the club.”(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Di Maria stars as PSG whip FC Barcelona 4-0

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Whipping
Abuja, Feb. 14, 2017 (NAN) Angel di Maria scored twice as hosts Paris St-Germain (PSG) of France stunned FC Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday in a last-16 first-leg tie.

The result left the Spanish side in danger of failing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in a decade.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PSG dominated this match throughout and took the lead through Di Maria’s curled free-kick.

Julian Draxler added a second with an angled drive before Di Maria curled an effort into the top corner, while Edinson Cavani sealed a famous win with a powerful fourth.

A lacklustre FC Barcelona — with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar largely anonymous — did not produce an effort of note until seven minutes before the end.

This was when Samuel Umtiti headed onto the post.

The defeat leaves Luis Enrique’s side with an almighty task to stay in the competition when they host PSG in the return leg on March 8.

No side has managed to overturn a four-goal deficit in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

FC Barcelona breezed into the knockout stage by topping Group C, winning five of the six games they played.

Their one defeat was also the only time they conceded three goals in a group-stage game, when they lost 3-1 at Manchester City.

At least in that match they managed to score — Messi putting them ahead at Etihad Stadium.

But at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, they barely troubled Kevin Trapp in the PSG goal.

The visitors regularly squandered possession and looked lethargic throughout.

When they have not been at their best in the past, their star players have stepped up.

But on this occasion they offered nothing.

Messi, so often capable of creating something from nothing, made uncharacteristic mistakes and was at fault for PSG’s second goal when he lost the ball to Draxler.

Draxler then played a one-two with Marco Verratti to slice through a static defence and put the French side in control.

It was one of the worst FC Barcelona performances in recent memory, but PSG were also at their absolute best.

In truth, they could have won by an even bigger margin.

They finished the game with 16 shots on goal, 10 of those on target.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)