index – Selecao Brasil

PSG sporting director suggests Neymar is free to leave the club

On August 16, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has said that Neymar is free to part ways with the French champions, should the right offer come by during the summer transfer window. The Brazil international has been linked with a return to Barcelona in recent weeks and the speculation has further intensified from the fact that the attacker has not reported for the opening day of pre-season training.

Speaking to reporters, Leonardo said that the club won’t restrict players from leaving, should they lack the ambition of representing the team. He added that Neymar is free to head through the exit door but the club have not received any offers for the Brazilian to date, he said: “Neymar can leave PSG, if there is an offer that suits everyone. But to date, we do not know if anyone wants to buy him or at what price.

“All this is not done in a day, that’s for sure. But one thing is concrete today: he still has three years of contract with us and since we have not received an offer, we cannot discuss anything. PSG wants to rely on players who want to stay and build something big. We do not need players who would do a favour for the club by staying here.”

Neymar has been heavily linked with a comeback with the Blaugrana and there have been reports claiming that he may force through a departure from Parc des Princes. When Neymar’s father was asked about the same, he happened to decline the speculation and insisted that the attacker would return to pre-season training next week after the completion of the duties with the Neymar foundation.

Barcelona have yet to make a formal approach to re-sign the former Santos graduate but reports have indicated that they may prefer an exchange of players for the attacker rather than a straight-cash move. Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic, and Ousmane Dembele have been touted as potential candidates, who could be offered as part of the deal to land Neymar this summer.

Philippe Coutinho unsure about his future with Barcelona

On July 18, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has dismissed the ongoing speculation over his future but acknowledged that he has no idea regarding his position with the Catalan giants. The Brazil international had a forgettable season with the Blaugrana last term and he managed just five goals and two assists during the course of the league campaign.

As such, there have been many publications citing that he could head through the exit door at the Camp Nou and when asked about the same, Coutinho acknowledged that he does not have a clear idea regarding his future with the team, he told reporters: “Many things that come out in the media are simply not true but as for my future we do not know what is going to happen, that is the truth. Honestly, it wasn’t a good season. It didn’t produce what I wanted, it didn’t go as I hoped. But I hope it serves me as an example, as a lesson so that I want more, concentrate even more to be able to succeed.”

The Brazilian has been frequently linked with a potential return to the Premier League this month but that appears unlikely to happen. Liverpool are apparently not interested in re-signing him from the Catalan giants while the 27-year-old holds no desire to link up with Manchester United, given their fierce rivalry with the Reds.

Chelsea are the other team who have been frequently associated with his services, but they won’t be making an approach, given the 12-month transfer ban levied on them. Based on this, French giants Paris Saint-Germain seem the only other destination for the playmaker and it remains to be seen whether the club will make a formal approach to pursue his signature.

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has been heavily tipped to join the Blaugrana this summer and the Frenchman could act as the direct replacement for Coutinho next season.

Brazil head coach explains why he chose Fernandinho over Fabinho

On June 11, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Brazil head coach Tite has acknowledged that it was a difficult choice between Fabinho and Fernandinho as he made the squad selection for the Copa America. Fabinho has been in stunning form for Liverpool en route to their Champions League final but he was surprisingly snubbed by Tite for Fernandinho, who has been with the team for the long-term.

Speaking in a press conference, Tite said that he had plenty of difficult moments while picking the squad, considering the number of talented players in the national team pool. When stressed further on Fabinho’s omission, the manager revealed that the selection of Fernandinho was made purely on the fact that he is more versed with the style of play, he quipped: “It was a very difficult choice. Fernandinho knows his responsibilities. It’s the most difficult squad I have ever had to put together.”
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Jesus insists Manchester City don’t need to worry about Liverpool in title race

On May 15, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus has said that the Citizens don’t need to worry about Liverpool in the Premier League run-in. The Citizens have received heavy competition from the Reds in the race for the league title and they are currently two points behind the Reds at the top with a game in hand.

Speaking to reporters, Jesus indicated that the Citizens no longer need to root against the Reds, given they have the destiny in their own hands to win the title. He added that the club have five games remaining for the campaign and they will be crowned champions so long as they maintain a perfect run through the period.
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Kaka fancies Lucas Paqueta to excel with the Brazilian national team

On April 27, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

AC Milan legend Kaka believes Lucas Paqueta has the chance to mark a mark with the Brazil national team after showing progress during his short time with the Rossoneri. The 21-year-old only joined the Rossoneri from Flamengo at the beginning of January, but he has put up a string of impressive performances which have earned him another call-up with Brazil.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Kaka said that Paqueta could get the chance to wear the iconic number 10 jersey with the national side with Neymar currently on the sidelines with a foot injury. He added that the attacker is capable of making a mark with the five-time World Cup champions, given he is receiving the right guidance under Gennaro Gattuso at the club level.
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Alisson Becker speaks about Liverpool’s team spirit ahead of title run-in

On April 18, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has spoken about the importance of team spirit as the club embark on the final few months of the season. The Reds are currently competing with Manchester City for the Premier League title while they have also made progress to the quarter-final stage of the Champions League.

Speaking to the Liverpool FC Magazine, the Brazil international said that every player will remain important during the run-in where the team spirit remains a key attribute, he said: “All the players are important, be they the local players from the UK or the players from overseas. I admire the strength we have as a team and the quality that every single one of our players has, but the most important thing for me is the team spirit.”
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Fernandinho prepared to return for Brazil ahead of next month’s internationals

On March 2, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has opened the prospect of returning to national team duty for the first time since the summer World Cup. The Brazil international ruled himself out of selection following the World Cup where he was the subject of abuse from the country’s faithful but he is prepared to make a comeback next month.

Speaking to Globo Esporte, Fernandinho was pleased that manager Tite had understood his fragile situation earlier in the season where he had made himself unavailable for Selecao duty. He added that he is now prepared to serve the team, should they require his advances during the forthcoming international friendlies.
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Pep Guardiola explains reason behind Fernandinho’s central defensive role against Arsenal

On February 23, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that the urge to play another midfielder meant that Fernandinho was slotted into the central defensive role against Arsenal last weekend. The Brazil international was a surprise selection for the position but that did not hamper the Citizens’ performance as they romped to a comfortable 3-1 triumph.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola said that Fernandinho had no concerns after being asked to slot into the heart of the backline. He added that he was impressed with the showing of Ilkay Gundogan of late and the urge to play him alongside other midfielders meant that Fernandinho had to drop deeper to partner Nicolas Otamendi in central defence.
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David Luiz’s agent updates on the defender’s contract situation

On February 5, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

David Luiz’s agent Kia Joorabchian has revealed that talks are ongoing with Chelsea regarding a potential contract extension for the central defender. The Brazil international has been a regular under Maurizio Sarri this term after a frustrating 2017/18 campaign but his future still remains questionable with his contract expiring in six months’ time.

Speaking to The Sun, Joorabchian confirmed that he is positive regarding a contract extension for his client unlike stated in the media. He added that the Brazilian wants to stay put with the west London giants and the same opinion is shared by both the manager and the Blues, he quipped: “Contrary to some reports we are in a very amicable situation with Chelsea. We are trying to work out a deal for David Luiz because he wants to stay, the manager wants him to stay and so does the club. “I’m sure something will be worked out.”
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Tite reveals Fernandinho has been excluded from Brazil duty due to personal reasons

On January 3, 2019 By index In Uncategorized

Brazil head coach Tite has revealed that Fernandinho has been ignored from the national team due to personal reasons rather than him being axed from the setup. The Manchester City star suffered a major disappointment during the summer after he scored an own goal during the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium which eventually contributed to Brazil’s exit after a 2-1 defeat.

Thereafter, the veteran had been the subject of racist abuse from the country’s faithful and this appears to have hampered the midfielder greatly to the point that he does not wish to feature for the national team anymore. Speaking to SporTV, Tite stressed that he cannot summon the services of Fernandinho for the time being with the midfielder deeply hurt by the negative reaction towards his family on the aftermath of the country’s World Cup exit.
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