Neymar
Lionel Messi has backed former Barcelona teammate Neymar to be included in Brazil’s squad for this year’s World Cup, describing the forward as one of the world’s best despite concerns over his fitness.
Neymar's lack of goals recently have given his critics plenty of ammunition to write him off but the winger ended his drought in style with a double in Santos’ 2-1 league win over Vasco da Gama, boosting his hopes of making Brazil's World Cup squad.
Brazil striker Neymar, who extended his contract with his childhood club Santos last month, said that he may retire by the end of the year.
The 33-year-old former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward scored three times within 17 minutes to secure a 3-0 win at Juventude on Wednesday evening, sending them two points clear of the bottom four with one match left.
The 33-year-old Brazilian, who has had a frustrating time since returning to his boyhood club this year, went over to the stands at the end of Wednesday's game with Internacional to talk with a fan who appeared to be remonstrating with him.
Brazil have called up teenage Real Madrid striker Endrick to replace the injured Neymar for this month's World Cup qualifiers, the country's FA announced on Friday.
Neymar has left Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal to return to Santos, the Brazilian club where both he and Pele made their names.
Coach Dorival Jr said on Friday that he would wait until Neymar is fully fit to bring him back into the Brazil squad as he announced the roster for October's South American qualifiers.
French police have searched the Finance Ministry's tax administration offices over allegations of favourable treatment granted to football club Paris-Saint-Germain over the transfer of Brazilian star Neymar, a source close to the investigation said.
No player in Brazil should feel pressure to take over the role of Neymar, sidelined with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, coach Fernando Diniz said ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
Brazil forward Neymar underwent surgery on Thursday after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee on international duty.
Neymar will undergo surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, Brazil's FA said, an injury that is expected to sideline the forward for several months.
Diniz took temporary charge of Brazil when Tite left the role following their quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar and will be replaced by Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti next year.
The 31-year-old, who last month joined the former Asian champions for 90 million euros ($95.9 million) from Paris Saint-Germain, was introduced in the 64th minute for fellow Brazilian Michael and set up Malcom to score Al-Hilal's fourth in the 83rd minute.
The 31-year-old Neymar, who recently joined Saudi side Al-Hilal, bounced back after missing a penalty in the first half, scoring two goals in the 61st and 93rd minutes to become the country's all-time top scorer with 79 goals.
Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al-Hilal announced that Neymar had signed a contract until 2025, with the Brazilian saying, "I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali" in a video on the team's social media accounts.
Galtier added that he plans to fill Neymar's place with a midfielder instead of another attacker, as he did in last week's 3-0 win over rivals Olympique de Marseille, where Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe led the team to a second league win in a row.
PSG are already without Kylian Mbappe, who has been ruled out for three weeks with a thigh injury and will miss the team's Champions League last-16 first leg against Bayern Munich on Feb 14.
Brazil's Neymar said on Friday he was unsure if he would play again for the national team after their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia on penalties.
Brazil defender Danilo has shown positive signs in his recovery from an ankle injury while Neymar is racing against time to be fit for their last 16 clash against South Korea, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after Friday's 1-0 defeat by Cameroon.
