PARIS (AFP) - A reoccurrence of an injury, two separate suspensions for insulting a referee and hitting a fan, losing Brazil's captaincy and now an accusation of rape, the world's most expensive footballer had a season to forget for club and country, on and off the field.
Here, AFP reflects on Neymar's difficult season starting with the World Cup in Brazil which could end up with a Copa America title on home soil:
1. Back for Brazil
After more than three months sidelined with a foot problem, his 69th-minute goal guides Brazil to a 2-0 World Cup warm-up friendly victory over eventual champions Croatia on June 3.
2. 'Pathetic diving'
Despite scoring once and claiming an assist as the Selecao qualified for the last 16, his World Cup group stage is marred by his "pathetic" diving as former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel told Russian broadcaster RT.
3. Bows out to boos
Brazil are knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by Belgium on July 6. Neymar is the victim of boos from a home crowd watching on a big screen in Rio every time he rolls on the ground, becoming an Internet joke for his theatrical efforts.
Â
Â
Â
4. Depression
"I wouldn't go as far as to say I didn't want to play again but, I didn't want to see a ball, or to see any more football played," the 27-year-old told AFP on July 22 after the disappointment in Russia.
5. 'Sensational'
He scores a hat-trick in a 6-1 thumping of Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League group stage two months into the club season on Oct 3 which is described as 'sensational' by head coach Thomas Tuchel.
6. Ballon d'Or blip
He fails to make the top 10 of the shortlist for the first time since 2013, finishing in 12th place as Croatia's World Cup winning-midfielder Luka Modric takes the award in a ceremony held in the Brazilians's adopted home city Paris on Dec 3.
7. Same foot, same injury
With less than half an hour to play and Paris Saint-Germain leading Strasbourg 1-0 on Jan 23 in the second round of the French Cup, he limps off the Parc de Princes field with a similar foot injury to the one he suffered 13 months earlier. His return date is set for the Champions League quarter-finals but the Parisians have to face a resurgent Manchester United with new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the last 16 before then.
8. Controversial Carnival
Despite still recovering from the metatarsal problem, he is filmed and photographed dancing at both Salvador and Rio carnivals in early March.
9. Referee rage
Forced to watch in the the stands as PSG are knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester United on March 6, he tells officials to "Go f*** yourselves" on Instagram afterwards.
He adds: "It's a disgrace. They get four guys who don't understand football to watch a slow-motion replay in front of the TV."
10. Tax probe
Newspaper El Mundo report in March that Spanish tax authorities are investigating the bonus he earned when he extended his Barcelona contract in 2017.
Officials are looking into whether the Brazilian paid tax related to his extra payments and his record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, the daily paper said.
11. Three-match ban
Six weeks after his referee rant on social media, Neymar is handed a three-match suspension by Uefa for his insults which rule him out of PSG's opening fixtures in next season's European campaign.
12. Fanfare
Two days later, PSG are beaten on penalties in the French Cup final by Rennes on April 28. He scores his side's second goal but hits a supporter as he collects his runners-up medal at the Stade de France.
13. 'The rebellious teenager'
The Brazilian press pounce on his Cup final misdemeanour, branding him a "coward" and a "rebellious teenager". PSG's Tuchel adds salt to the wound by saying: "I don't like it. You can't do that, you just can't do that."
14. Suspension No. 2
He is given another ban for three games, with a further two games suspended for lashing out at the spectator in the stands after the shock defeat by Rennes.
15. Shuns last PSG match
He heads back to Brazil to prepare for the Copa America after he claims to have been given permission to miss the league French champions' final game of the season on May 24. Coach Tuchel denies his reasoning.
16. Captaincy gone
Four days later, Brazil boss Tite takes the skipper's armband away from the 96-time international and gives it to club team-mate Dani Alves less than three weeks away from the start of the Copa America on home soil.
17. Rape allegation
According to a complaint filed with Sao Paolo police and reported by the UOL and GloboEsporte websites on June 1, he is accused of "using violence to have sex with the victim without her consent."
18. Allegation denied
A day later, he denies raping the woman, who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a Paris hotel, with his father claiming he is the victim of blackmail.
"I am accused of rape, it's a big word, it's very strong, but that is what has happened," Neymar said in a seven-minute video posted on Instagram.
Neymar, 27, then shows what he says is a long series of WhatsApp messages with the woman, including topless photographs of her in bed.
Madrid, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 21st Jan, 2019 ) :Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng is on the verge of joining Barcelona in a shock loan move from Italian side Sassuolo, according to media reports in Spain. on Monday.
Barcelona set to complete shock Boateng loan move - goal.com
Plazibat's 5th goal in 5 games sent Hougang to the top of the table in the 5th round of the 2016 S.League season. In total, he scored 16 times in 24 league games for the Cheetahs before moving to Home United. Home United. After his contract was not renewed by the Hougang United's Management, Plazibat moved to local rivals, Home United.
Football: PSG's Cavani doubtful for Man United game
Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 23, 2019, with the headline 'Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact''. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact'
Football: Barca put one hand on title after edging past
Liverpool passed another stringent test of their Premier League title credentials as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk gave them a 2-0 victory at Wolverhampton on Friday that guarantees top spot at Christmas. Salah's 11th goal of the season was a classy one and helped subdue a dangerous Wolves side who had made a lively start.
Official Liverpool FC Store | Liverpool FC Ball
AD
store.liverpoolfc.com/ball
Report Ad
Browse Our Wide Range Of Exclusive Liverpool FC Souvenirs. Shop Online Now.
Liverpool powered back to the top of the Premier League as Xherdan Shaqiri inspired a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United, while Arsenal's 22-match unbeaten run was shattered by a shock 3
Liverpool back on top as Shaqiri sinks United, Arsenal's
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours Date created : 12/01/2019 - 21:26 Willian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge AFP
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours
HANOI: For two die-hard Malaysian fans, they sold their prized 'Ultras Malaya' memorabilia to fund their trip to Hanoi to watch the return leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Tennis: Singapore one of five cities on shortlist to host ATP
sportstons.com/tennis/tennis-singapore-one-of-five-cities-on-shortlist-to-host-atp-finals-from-2021/
Football: Diehard Malaysian fans sell prized memorabilia to fund trip for AFF Suzuki Cup final against Vietnam December 15, 2018 Tennis Comments Off on Tennis: Singapore one of five cities on shortlist to host ATP Finals from 2021
Andre Gomes 'loving' life at Everton, but unsure on future
sportstons.com/soccer/andre-gomes-loving-life-at-everton-but-unsure-on-future-plans/
Andre Gomes says he is "loving" life at Everton and is enjoying playing with freedom again - but he is unsure what the future holds. Gomes joined Everton in the summer on a season-long loan from Barcelona, where he struggled to impress and often bore the brunt of supporters' frustrations.
Football: Farizal keeps Harimau Malaya walking the talk | The
Thanks for watching ! SUBSCRIBE to receive more videos for free. Rockets aim to keep momentum HOUSTON - After the Houston Rockets easily downed the San Antonio Spurs, James Harden was asked about
Nuggets aim to keep momentum going in Game 5 vs. Trail Blazers
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Jordan Henderson at the end of the match REUTERS. Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title.
0 comments:
Post a Comment