Neymar s stunning world-record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain has shocked the football world, but it is in keeping with the French club s rich history of attracting Brazilian stars to the capital.
The 25-year-old follows ex-Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves scorer on debut in a 2-1 Trophee des Champions win over Monaco in moving to the Parc des Princes this transfer window and will link up with a number of other compatriots at PSG.
There will be a great deal of expectation on Neymar s shoulders given his eye-watering €222m fee and his already sizeable reputation as one of the world s best.
Here, we samba our way through a selection of PSG s boys from Brazil, who Neymar will attempt to surpass as the club s greatest import from the country.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema accepts he must step up for the LaLiga giants after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Benzema is already up to 10 strikes in 18 games this season, well on track to break the 20-goal barrier for the first time since 2015-16.
Madrid have felt the absence of Ronaldo, who was prolific for the club before leaving for Juventus in July.
Benzema, whose best haul for Madrid was 32 goals in 2011-12, said he had to take more responsibility after the departure of Ronaldo.
A little bit more now that Cristiano has gone; now he s not here to bring us goals so it s up to me to do that, he told Real Madrid TV.
I feel very motivated and I m ready to take on the task.
Ten goals and counting for this season:
U…
Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham s stunning win against Champions League holders Real Madrid has given Spurs great belief and confidence that they can compete with Europe s elite.
Tottenham booked their place in the last 16 of the competition with a memorable 3-1 victory over Madrid in Group H at Wembley on Wednesday.
Dele Alli, suspended for the first three pool matches, scored a brace, while Christian Eriksen was also on target as Spurs condemned Zinedine Zidane s Madrid to their heaviest Champions League group-stage defeat since November 2008.
The surprise win against the Spanish and European champions follows Tottenham s impressive 1-1 draw in last month s reverse fixture, and Spurs boss Pochettino lauded his players post-match.
A night to remember.…
Matheus Cunha will join Wolves from Atletico Madrid when the January transfer window opens, Julen Lopetegui has confirmed.
A deal between Wolves and Atletico for an initial loan with an obligation to buy had been reported, with Cunha undergoing a medical this week.
And Wolves coach Lopetegui announced the forward s signing on Friday ahead of his side s return to Premier League action against Everton.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone had already confirmed Cunha was set to leave the LaLiga giants.
Today I have to talk about [Cunha], said Lopetegui. It s clear he is going to be with us. It is going to happen once the market is open.
Now, of course, he s going to be our player, but [for] the next matches, we have to focus on the players that are here. Th…
Antonio Valencia has signed a contract extension with Manchester United that ties him to the club until June 2019, with an option for one additional season.
The Ecuador international joined United from Wigan Athletic in 2009 and has since made 291 appearances in all competitions, winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and the Europa League in the process.
He has been a key figure under Jose Mourinho this term, starting 41 matches, and has now committed his future to the club.
Manchester United has been my life since 2009 and I am absolutely delighted to have signed a new contract, Valencia stated.
Wednesday evening s Europa League win provided the one trophy this club had never won and it was a true honour for me to captain the team…
Barcelona may be nine points clear at the top of LaLiga, in the Copa del Rey final and the last-16 of the Champions League but Ernesto Valverde says talk of a treble is premature.
The Catalan giants have finished two campaigns with three trophies in the last decade, first under Pep Guardiola in 2008-09 and again in 2014-15 – when Luis Enrique was in charge.
Repeating the feat this season looks a distinct possibility with their impressive form across all competitions, Barca already running away with the league with 18 wins and four draws from 22 matches.
The prospect of a treble is not something that has even entered Valverde s mind, though, the coach instead taking things one step at a time.
People can have a lot of hopes for many things, it is good th…
Joshua Kimmich s stunning 90th-minute equaliser spared Bayern Munich s blushes as the Bundesliga champions rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Koln on Tuesday.
Bayern had been on the verge of their first home league loss since last January before their captain took centre stage, though it was not enough to restore their six-point lead at the summit following RB Leipzig s 6-1 demolition of Schalke.
Ellyes Skhiri, who scored twice in Koln s remarkable 7-1 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday, put the Billy Goats ahead amid a purposeful opening.
Koln were under pressure for long periods thereafter, however, and they could not see the win out as Kimmich struck from distance at the end.
WHAT A HIT
1-1 (90 )
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)
…
Matthijs De Ligt highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo s predatory instincts after Ajax drew 1-1 with Juventus in the Champions League.
De Ligt s Ajax had to settle for a draw in the first leg of the quarter-final tie despite dominating in Amsterdam, where Ronaldo s opener was cancelled out by David Neres on Wednesday.
Playing for the first time since suffering a muscle injury on international duty last month, Ronaldo broke the deadlock via a diving header on the stroke of half-time.
Neres equalised within seconds of the restart after half-time and Ajax – who stunned three-time reigning champions Real Madrid in the last 16 – were unfortunate not to add to their tally midweek.
To all fans,
You’re something special.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax)
<…
Real Madrid great Iker Casillas would be open to a return to the club despite admitting he wished his farewell compared to Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres .
Casillas ended a 25-year stay at Madrid in 2015, departing his boyhood club for Porto after winning five LaLiga titles and three Champions League crowns.
While Madrid have denied forcing Casillas out, his farewell paled in comparison to Iniesta s at Barcelona and Torres at Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Casillas, 37, said he would have no issues returning to Madrid in the future, but accepted his farewell was mishandled by the European champions.
If Real Madrid call me, I couldn t say no to return to the club in the future, he said on Wednesday.
I saw the Iniesta and Torres farewells…
Mauricio Pochettino insists he is “not crazy” for believing in Chelsea’s chances of success despite a growing injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Sheffield United.
Chelsea have seen defenders Marc Cucurella and Reece James and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez all join Pochettino’s list of sidelined talent this week.
Pochettino revealed James, who was forced off in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Everton, is feeling “down” as a result of his latest hamstring problem after already sitting out a lengthy spell of the season with a similar issue, while Sanchez is likely to be absent for at least a few weeks after sustaining a knee problem.
The Blues boss, who looks set to hand goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic his first start and a potential debut to Christopher Nk…