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..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
Nigeria Starting Line-up
Uzoho
Idowu
Ndidi
Ekong
Balogun
Musa
Etebo
Mikel
Moses
Iheanacho
Omeruo
&
Argentina Starting Line-up
Armani
Mercado
Rojo
Otamendi
Tagliafico
Mascherano
Banega
Perez
Di Maria
Messi
Higuain
Last edited:
messi playing good. Di maria for some reason is playing good as well.Benaa also
messi playing good. Di maria for some reason is playing good as well.
munta issara wela athin gahanne nethi wenna purudu karanna ona paw ara messi
Iceland 1 Croatia 2: Perisic strikes late on to secure maximum points
Ivan Perisic's late goal ensured Croatia topped World Cup Group D with maximum points as they knocked out a resilient Iceland with a 2-1 win in Rostov-on-Don.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's 76th-minute penalty gave Iceland hope of mounting a comeback following Milan Badelj's opener, but Perisic made sure of the points for Croatia in the dying embers.
Croatia will now meet Denmark in the round of 16 in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday, while Iceland's maiden appearance at a World Cup comes to an end despite their best efforts to turn the game around.Badelj - who had previously rattled the woodwork - marked his first start of the tournament with a thumping 53rd-minute opener.
Sverrir Ingason rattled the bar with a header in response for Iceland, but the only way they could beat Croatia goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic on his superb World Cup bow came from the spot.Sigurdsson missed a penalty in Iceland's defeat to Nigeria on matchday two, but made no mistake this time with a finish high into the net after Dejan Lovren had handled in the area.
But Iceland's fighting spirit ultimately proved for nothing, Perisic securing a third successive win for Croatia, who will be joined in the last 16 by Argentina following their dramatic win over Nigeria.
One of two Croatia players to retain their place, Luka Modric nearly opened up Iceland's defence with a wonderful outside-of-the-boot cross 19 minutes in.Iceland started to threaten just before the half hour - Hordur Magnusson heading wide from Johann Gudmundsson's outswinging corner.Alfred Finnbogason looked set to take full advantage of sloppy play from Badelj soon after, only for the striker to drill wide from the edge of the area.
A Kalinic fumble then allowed Birkir Bjarnason to pounce from a corner, but the shot-stopper atoned for his error with a fine save from Aron Gunnarsson's curling effort.Croatia improved following the restart, and it was Badelj who had their first opportunity with a venomous strike that clattered off the crossbar.
But the midfielder got his goal when he reacted sharply to a loose ball in the Iceland box and duly hammered home from close range.Iceland looked set to respond instantly, only for Ingason's header to rebound back off the bar with Kalinic well beaten.
Bjarnason should have restored parity with 20 minutes remaining when he latched onto Finnbogason's cross, but got his first-time finish all wrong.Lovren's clumsy handball did enable Sigurdsson to make amends for his failure from the spot last time out, though it was Perisic who had the final say.
Badelj turned provider with a neat throughball and, having outpaced his marker, Perisic lashed home to ensure Zlatko Dalic's tinkering did not derail any momentum for Croatia, who head into the knockout rounds as arguably the form team in the competition.
Ivan Perisic's late goal ensured Croatia topped World Cup Group D with maximum points as they knocked out a resilient Iceland with a 2-1 win in Rostov-on-Don.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's 76th-minute penalty gave Iceland hope of mounting a comeback following Milan Badelj's opener, but Perisic made sure of the points for Croatia in the dying embers.
Croatia will now meet Denmark in the round of 16 in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday, while Iceland's maiden appearance at a World Cup comes to an end despite their best efforts to turn the game around.Badelj - who had previously rattled the woodwork - marked his first start of the tournament with a thumping 53rd-minute opener.
Sverrir Ingason rattled the bar with a header in response for Iceland, but the only way they could beat Croatia goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic on his superb World Cup bow came from the spot.Sigurdsson missed a penalty in Iceland's defeat to Nigeria on matchday two, but made no mistake this time with a finish high into the net after Dejan Lovren had handled in the area.
But Iceland's fighting spirit ultimately proved for nothing, Perisic securing a third successive win for Croatia, who will be joined in the last 16 by Argentina following their dramatic win over Nigeria.
One of two Croatia players to retain their place, Luka Modric nearly opened up Iceland's defence with a wonderful outside-of-the-boot cross 19 minutes in.Iceland started to threaten just before the half hour - Hordur Magnusson heading wide from Johann Gudmundsson's outswinging corner.Alfred Finnbogason looked set to take full advantage of sloppy play from Badelj soon after, only for the striker to drill wide from the edge of the area.
A Kalinic fumble then allowed Birkir Bjarnason to pounce from a corner, but the shot-stopper atoned for his error with a fine save from Aron Gunnarsson's curling effort.Croatia improved following the restart, and it was Badelj who had their first opportunity with a venomous strike that clattered off the crossbar.
But the midfielder got his goal when he reacted sharply to a loose ball in the Iceland box and duly hammered home from close range.Iceland looked set to respond instantly, only for Ingason's header to rebound back off the bar with Kalinic well beaten.
Bjarnason should have restored parity with 20 minutes remaining when he latched onto Finnbogason's cross, but got his first-time finish all wrong.Lovren's clumsy handball did enable Sigurdsson to make amends for his failure from the spot last time out, though it was Perisic who had the final say.
Badelj turned provider with a neat throughball and, having outpaced his marker, Perisic lashed home to ensure Zlatko Dalic's tinkering did not derail any momentum for Croatia, who head into the knockout rounds as arguably the form team in the competition.
Nigeria 1 Argentina 2: Late Rojo stunner saves Messi's men
Marcos Rojo was Argentina's unlikely hero as his stunning late winner secured a 2-1 defeat of Nigeria that keeps Lionel Messi's side in the World Cup.
The Super Eagles were heading through to the last 16 at Argentina's expense with four minutes to go of the final Group D game, but Rojo's sensational low volley saved Jorge Sampaoli's men and set up a showdown with France in the next round.Messi gave Argentina the lead in St Petersburg on Tuesday, the Barcelona superstar scoring a stunner to bring up the 100th goal of Russia 2018.
But when Javier Mascherano dragged down Leon Balogun in the box shortly after the restart, Victor Moses stepped up to roll Nigeria level and within touching distance of progressing.Sampaoli sent on attackers Cristian Pavon, Maximiliano Meza and Sergio Aguero, but it was defender Rojo who came up with a quite brilliant winner.
The right-wing cross from another defender, Gabriel Mercado, was perfectly placed for Rojo to arrive late and slam home an improbable, unstoppable finish that extends Argentina's stay at the World Cup.
After scoring a brace in Nigeria's win over Iceland, Ahmed Musa sought to test debutant goalkeeper Franco Armani early, but narrowly cleared the crossbar with his ambitious effort. Argentina made a nervy start before taking the lead in the 14th minute thanks to some Messi magic.
Ever Banega was making his first World Cup start and the Sevilla star's ball over the top was perfect, Messi controlling the ball on his thigh and left boot in one fluid movement before lashing an unstoppable right-footed drive past Francis Uzoho.The Nigeria goalkeeper was rapidly off his line to deny Gonzalo Higuain as Argentina sought a second and the teenager was brilliant again as Messi took aim in the 34th minute.
Leon Balogun brought Angel Di Maria down 25 yards from goal, but, while Messi beat the wall with his free-kick, Uzoho got the slightest of touches to tip the shot on to his left-hand post.Oghenekaro Etebo narrowly missed with a long-range free-kick before Rojo came up with one of the most dramatic moments of modern World Cup history in the 86th minute.
Mercado raided down the right and bent a delicious cross into the penalty area, Rojo timing his run perfectly to tuck home a low right-footed volley that gave Uzoho no chance.
Argentina's reward will be a last-16 clash against Group C winners France, with Nigeria - the youngest squad at the World Cup - left heartbroken by Rojo's stunning strike.
Marcos Rojo was Argentina's unlikely hero as his stunning late winner secured a 2-1 defeat of Nigeria that keeps Lionel Messi's side in the World Cup.
The Super Eagles were heading through to the last 16 at Argentina's expense with four minutes to go of the final Group D game, but Rojo's sensational low volley saved Jorge Sampaoli's men and set up a showdown with France in the next round.Messi gave Argentina the lead in St Petersburg on Tuesday, the Barcelona superstar scoring a stunner to bring up the 100th goal of Russia 2018.
But when Javier Mascherano dragged down Leon Balogun in the box shortly after the restart, Victor Moses stepped up to roll Nigeria level and within touching distance of progressing.Sampaoli sent on attackers Cristian Pavon, Maximiliano Meza and Sergio Aguero, but it was defender Rojo who came up with a quite brilliant winner.
The right-wing cross from another defender, Gabriel Mercado, was perfectly placed for Rojo to arrive late and slam home an improbable, unstoppable finish that extends Argentina's stay at the World Cup.
After scoring a brace in Nigeria's win over Iceland, Ahmed Musa sought to test debutant goalkeeper Franco Armani early, but narrowly cleared the crossbar with his ambitious effort. Argentina made a nervy start before taking the lead in the 14th minute thanks to some Messi magic.
Ever Banega was making his first World Cup start and the Sevilla star's ball over the top was perfect, Messi controlling the ball on his thigh and left boot in one fluid movement before lashing an unstoppable right-footed drive past Francis Uzoho.The Nigeria goalkeeper was rapidly off his line to deny Gonzalo Higuain as Argentina sought a second and the teenager was brilliant again as Messi took aim in the 34th minute.
Leon Balogun brought Angel Di Maria down 25 yards from goal, but, while Messi beat the wall with his free-kick, Uzoho got the slightest of touches to tip the shot on to his left-hand post.Oghenekaro Etebo narrowly missed with a long-range free-kick before Rojo came up with one of the most dramatic moments of modern World Cup history in the 86th minute.
Mercado raided down the right and bent a delicious cross into the penalty area, Rojo timing his run perfectly to tuck home a low right-footed volley that gave Uzoho no chance.
Argentina's reward will be a last-16 clash against Group C winners France, with Nigeria - the youngest squad at the World Cup - left heartbroken by Rojo's stunning strike.
Rotation the main positive for Deschamps after dull France draw
Didier Deschamps admitted there were "more negatives than positives" from his France side's dour draw with Denmark, but was pleased he could rest key players for the challenges that lie ahead.
With France having already qualified and the Danes requiring just a point to join them in the last 16, there was always the chance this game could be a non-event and so it proved, much to the displeasure of the Moscow crowd.Deschamps made six changes, including leaving Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso and Blaise Matuidi – all of whom are on a booking, on the bench, and it led to a disjointed display.
He said: "There were positives even though there were more negatives. Against a very solid defence, we had a number of chances and if our ball rotation had been better, I don't know.
"Having fresh players is important. I knew the round of 16 would be in Kazan in four days so it did have an influence on how I managed my players."I wanted to protect the three that had been booked, others were rested and others deserved to have their minutes. Some teams have not been able to get such rotation."
France claimed seven points from their three Group C games but their form remains patchy, although Deschamps said there were mitigating circumstances against a defensive Danish side."We have reached our goal, it was important to be top of the group," he added."It wasn't a very exciting match. One point was good enough for them and we didn't have to take risks to do better.
"Our first match [against Australia] was not good enough, the second one was better, even if we defended too much in the second half against Peru."Today was due to the fact the team had a number of new players.
"Look at Argentina, one of the top contenders, they will have a very difficult match in two hours. Germany stayed in by the skin of their teeth. You can tell me there is room for improvement, but even for the top contenders, on paper, it's not easy."
France will now meet the runners-up in Group D and Deschamps accepts it will become more difficult from here on in."We have a lot of ambition. It was difficult but we topped a challenging group and we got what we wanted," he said.
"We have reached our objectives, from now it will be more difficult, we will be humble but ambitious to try to get to the next stage."
Didier Deschamps admitted there were "more negatives than positives" from his France side's dour draw with Denmark, but was pleased he could rest key players for the challenges that lie ahead.
With France having already qualified and the Danes requiring just a point to join them in the last 16, there was always the chance this game could be a non-event and so it proved, much to the displeasure of the Moscow crowd.Deschamps made six changes, including leaving Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso and Blaise Matuidi – all of whom are on a booking, on the bench, and it led to a disjointed display.
He said: "There were positives even though there were more negatives. Against a very solid defence, we had a number of chances and if our ball rotation had been better, I don't know.
"Having fresh players is important. I knew the round of 16 would be in Kazan in four days so it did have an influence on how I managed my players."I wanted to protect the three that had been booked, others were rested and others deserved to have their minutes. Some teams have not been able to get such rotation."
France claimed seven points from their three Group C games but their form remains patchy, although Deschamps said there were mitigating circumstances against a defensive Danish side."We have reached our goal, it was important to be top of the group," he added."It wasn't a very exciting match. One point was good enough for them and we didn't have to take risks to do better.
"Our first match [against Australia] was not good enough, the second one was better, even if we defended too much in the second half against Peru."Today was due to the fact the team had a number of new players.
"Look at Argentina, one of the top contenders, they will have a very difficult match in two hours. Germany stayed in by the skin of their teeth. You can tell me there is room for improvement, but even for the top contenders, on paper, it's not easy."
France will now meet the runners-up in Group D and Deschamps accepts it will become more difficult from here on in."We have a lot of ambition. It was difficult but we topped a challenging group and we got what we wanted," he said.
"We have reached our objectives, from now it will be more difficult, we will be humble but ambitious to try to get to the next stage."
Roma yet to receive bid for Liverpool and Real Madrid target Alisson
Roma have yet to receive an offer for in-demand goalkeeper Alisson, claims Monchi, despite the Brazil international being heavily linked with Liverpool and Real Madrid.
It appeared as though a switch to Spain was on the cards at one stage, with James Pallotta suggesting that a €78 million (£69m/$91m) deal was close.The Roma president has since claimed that he was joking and that those in the Italian capital have no intention of parting with a prized asset.
That remains the stance when it comes to a man currently away on World Cup duty, with Monchi adamant that no rumoured interest has been formalised.Roma’s sporting director told reporters at the club’s unveiling of new signing Javier Pastore: “As of now we’ve had no offers for Alisson.
“All I think about is waiting for the World Cup to finish, but hopefully for Brazil that’s as late as possible, then he can rest, come here, and train with his team-mates.“I want to make it clear: as of now no offer has arrived. If you asked me about [Patrick] Schick I’d say the same thing, I’ve read so much but no offer has come in.“That’s the reality, and I have to work with reality.”
Alisson is not the only Roma player to have sparked plenty of transfer talk, with Lorenzo Pellegrini another to have been linked with leading sides across Europe.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus are among those said to be keen on the highly-rated midfielder, but Monchi insists he is another who is going nowhere.
He added: “I met Giampiero Pocetta [Pellegrini's agent] last week, and we did not talk about his goodbye. We are calm.”
Roma have yet to receive an offer for in-demand goalkeeper Alisson, claims Monchi, despite the Brazil international being heavily linked with Liverpool and Real Madrid.
It appeared as though a switch to Spain was on the cards at one stage, with James Pallotta suggesting that a €78 million (£69m/$91m) deal was close.The Roma president has since claimed that he was joking and that those in the Italian capital have no intention of parting with a prized asset.
That remains the stance when it comes to a man currently away on World Cup duty, with Monchi adamant that no rumoured interest has been formalised.Roma’s sporting director told reporters at the club’s unveiling of new signing Javier Pastore: “As of now we’ve had no offers for Alisson.
“All I think about is waiting for the World Cup to finish, but hopefully for Brazil that’s as late as possible, then he can rest, come here, and train with his team-mates.“I want to make it clear: as of now no offer has arrived. If you asked me about [Patrick] Schick I’d say the same thing, I’ve read so much but no offer has come in.“That’s the reality, and I have to work with reality.”
Alisson is not the only Roma player to have sparked plenty of transfer talk, with Lorenzo Pellegrini another to have been linked with leading sides across Europe.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus are among those said to be keen on the highly-rated midfielder, but Monchi insists he is another who is going nowhere.
He added: “I met Giampiero Pocetta [Pellegrini's agent] last week, and we did not talk about his goodbye. We are calm.”
Chelsea and Napoli begin Sarri talks as stand-off between the clubs ends
Chelsea have opened direct talks with Napoli regarding Maurizio Sarri following a stand-off between the two clubs over the release of the coach, Goal understands.
Sarri has long been keen on a move to Stamford Bridge and has been in dialogue to secure his release from his Napoli contract in a gentleman's agreement, with Carlo Ancelotti having already been announced as his replacement.
Chelsea have explored, and spoken to, several other options but have decided that Sarri is their best choice, with Laurent Blanc among a group of managers to have been contacted over the upcoming vacancy.
Antonio Conte is still officially Chelsea's head coach and there is likely to be an agreement over his exit package, with the Italian having strained relationships with both club director Marina Granovskaia and up to seven first-team players.
The cost of Conte's exit, which could cost £9 million, and the fee for Sarri are not yet fully agreed but the contract for Chelsea’s main target is expected to be a three-year deal and an agreement on terms is likely to be a formality.
Chelsea are beginning to work in the transfer market again after making progress on their managerial situation, with several targets outlined by Sarri. The majority of Sarri's preferred targets come from Serie A and include Gonzalo Higuain, Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly, who have all played under the 59-year-old.
However, Chelsea's board will remain in control of transfer policy and their rule of only offering players over the age of 30 one-year deals, except in exceptional circumstances, will likely remain in place.
Inter’s Matías Vecino and Juventus's Daniele Rugani are also serious targets, and are both options that fit with the club's transfer policy and could be achievable in the current market.The appointment of Sarri will please Eden Hazard, who is still to sign a new Chelsea deal. The Belgian playmaker has two years left on his current contract and the club are keen to secure a renewal, with Hazard hoping the Blues will move to a more attractive style of play next season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have conducted their first piece of minor transfer business of the summer transfer window, having loaned out highly-rated youngster Trevoh Chalobah to Ipswich Town.
Chelsea have opened direct talks with Napoli regarding Maurizio Sarri following a stand-off between the two clubs over the release of the coach, Goal understands.
Sarri has long been keen on a move to Stamford Bridge and has been in dialogue to secure his release from his Napoli contract in a gentleman's agreement, with Carlo Ancelotti having already been announced as his replacement.
Chelsea have explored, and spoken to, several other options but have decided that Sarri is their best choice, with Laurent Blanc among a group of managers to have been contacted over the upcoming vacancy.
Antonio Conte is still officially Chelsea's head coach and there is likely to be an agreement over his exit package, with the Italian having strained relationships with both club director Marina Granovskaia and up to seven first-team players.
The cost of Conte's exit, which could cost £9 million, and the fee for Sarri are not yet fully agreed but the contract for Chelsea’s main target is expected to be a three-year deal and an agreement on terms is likely to be a formality.
Chelsea are beginning to work in the transfer market again after making progress on their managerial situation, with several targets outlined by Sarri. The majority of Sarri's preferred targets come from Serie A and include Gonzalo Higuain, Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly, who have all played under the 59-year-old.
However, Chelsea's board will remain in control of transfer policy and their rule of only offering players over the age of 30 one-year deals, except in exceptional circumstances, will likely remain in place.
Inter’s Matías Vecino and Juventus's Daniele Rugani are also serious targets, and are both options that fit with the club's transfer policy and could be achievable in the current market.The appointment of Sarri will please Eden Hazard, who is still to sign a new Chelsea deal. The Belgian playmaker has two years left on his current contract and the club are keen to secure a renewal, with Hazard hoping the Blues will move to a more attractive style of play next season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have conducted their first piece of minor transfer business of the summer transfer window, having loaned out highly-rated youngster Trevoh Chalobah to Ipswich Town.
'Kane penalties unsaveable' - Pickford glad he doesn't have to face England captain
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford does not envy his counterparts facing Harry Kane penalties he feels are more or less unsaveable.
Kane raced to the top of the Golden Boot standings at the World Cup with a hat-trick in Sunday's 6-1 demolition of Panama in Group G.Two of the Tottenham striker's goals came from the penalty spot before half-time, dispatched with expert precision into the top-left corner and he is on five for the tournament overall.
Kane is not infallible – Liverpool's Loris Karius denied him from the 12 yards in February – but he has scored 22 from 26 including shoot-outs across his career and Pickford confirmed facing his captain on a daily basis at England's Repino training camp is not a great deal of fun.
"He's a top forward for starters, that's his main game, finishing," the Everton man told a news conference."I was watching him from my end the other day and his two pens were top drawer. He's been practising every day with them. We believe in him to finish them and he put them away with no pressure.
"[Penalties like those are] pretty much unsaveable, yeah. You've got to do a lot of guessing."The power behind it and the accuracy, both penalties were exactly the same really. It's pot luck [for a goalkeeper] but when Harry's finishing like that you've got no chance."
Gareth Southgate has confirmed he will make changes to his starting XI for Thursday's match against Belgium in Kaliningrad, with both sides already through to the last 16.Germany's opening defeat to Mexico means finishing second in Group G would avoid a route probably featuring either Brazil or the reigning champions as a quarter-final opponent.
Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez will also shuffle his pack and, when the prospect of the Red Devils not trying to win was put to Pickford, he found it agreeable."If that's how they feel it will make my job easier. If they don't want to score they won't have any shots," he joked.
"We're ready for them and we're ready to win the game as a group of lads. We want to finish top of the group."
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford does not envy his counterparts facing Harry Kane penalties he feels are more or less unsaveable.
Kane raced to the top of the Golden Boot standings at the World Cup with a hat-trick in Sunday's 6-1 demolition of Panama in Group G.Two of the Tottenham striker's goals came from the penalty spot before half-time, dispatched with expert precision into the top-left corner and he is on five for the tournament overall.
Kane is not infallible – Liverpool's Loris Karius denied him from the 12 yards in February – but he has scored 22 from 26 including shoot-outs across his career and Pickford confirmed facing his captain on a daily basis at England's Repino training camp is not a great deal of fun.
"He's a top forward for starters, that's his main game, finishing," the Everton man told a news conference."I was watching him from my end the other day and his two pens were top drawer. He's been practising every day with them. We believe in him to finish them and he put them away with no pressure.
"[Penalties like those are] pretty much unsaveable, yeah. You've got to do a lot of guessing."The power behind it and the accuracy, both penalties were exactly the same really. It's pot luck [for a goalkeeper] but when Harry's finishing like that you've got no chance."
Gareth Southgate has confirmed he will make changes to his starting XI for Thursday's match against Belgium in Kaliningrad, with both sides already through to the last 16.Germany's opening defeat to Mexico means finishing second in Group G would avoid a route probably featuring either Brazil or the reigning champions as a quarter-final opponent.
Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez will also shuffle his pack and, when the prospect of the Red Devils not trying to win was put to Pickford, he found it agreeable."If that's how they feel it will make my job easier. If they don't want to score they won't have any shots," he joked.
"We're ready for them and we're ready to win the game as a group of lads. We want to finish top of the group."
'If Neymar wants Real Madrid move he must do it' – Kaka supports summer switch for PSG starFormer Real Madrid star Kaka feels that if Neymar wants to join the Spanish giants he "must do it", while sympathising with Brazil's talisman amid the pressure he is under at the World Cup.
Speculation over a possible move to Madrid has been rife since Neymar reportedly met Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to express his unhappiness in the French capital after just one season with the Ligue 1 champions.
Kaka, who played for Madrid between 2009 and 2013, suggested a move from Parc des Princes a year after arriving from Barcelona in a world-record €222 million (£196m/$259m) move might arouse suspicion over Neymar's motives for moving to France.
"It's such a personal thing," Kaka told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked whether he would advise the 26-year-old to join Madrid."If he does it now, maybe people will say he went to PSG just to build a bridge to Real."But if that's what he wants, he must do it and must be ready to handle the situation.
"On the other hand there is always so much pressure around him. In Brazil it is crazy. We talk about his performance, his class, but also his hair, the suitcases he carries."He's a great player and also a celebrity, it's not easy to manage all of this."Neymar has moved third in Brazil's list of all-time leading goalscorers after scoring his first Russia 2018 goal late on in a 2-0 defeat of Costa Rica.
The PSG star hit 19 Ligue 1 goals in 20 appearances before suffering an injury in February, but Kaka says it is too soon to compare Neymar to previous Brazil greats such as Pele or Ronaldo.
"Neymar is 26, coming to the age of maturity for a player," said Kaka."He is one of the candidates for the Ballon d'Or in future years because he is growing, while [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for age issues will have to start to face the declining phase."For Neymar we must suspend the judgment. He is a talent but his real greatness will be measured later."
Asensio not discussing Liverpool links until after World Cup
Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio plans to sort out his club future after Spain's World Cup campaign, amid reported interest from Liverpool.Asensio started the 2017-18 season strongly, scoring in both legs of the Supercopa de Espana triumph over Barcelona, but struggled to retain a place in Zinedine Zidane's star-studded side.
The 22-year-old signed a six-year contract, which reportedly includes a €700 million (£616m/$816m) buyout clause, at the Santiago Bernabeu last September, but has been linked with a close-season switch to Anfield.Asensio came off the bench in Spain's World Cup win over Iran and the 2-2 draw against Morocco on Monday - a result that sent them through to the last 16 as Group B winners - and says the national team is his sole focus for the time being.
Asked about Liverpool's interest, Asensio said: "That's something in the news but I'm very focused in the World Cup."When it ends, we can talk about that kind of thing. I'm very focused here in Russia, on the national team and performing well here."
David de Gea has come under intense scrutiny after an error gave Cristiano Ronaldo his second goal in their opening draw, and has gone on to concede five goals from six shots on targets.
However, Asensio is confident the Manchester United goalkeeper will prove why he is widely considered to be one of the best in his position."I see him calm. He couldn't do much more on the goals [against Morocco]," he said. "The national team keeper is a very demanding role, but he is more than prepared.
"He is willing and he is calm and I'm sure we'll see the sort of performances he has previously shown for the remainder of this World Cup."Spain's campaign was thrown into turmoil when they sacked Julen Lopetegui just two days before their opening match, the coach having agreed to join Madrid less than 24 hours beforehand.
Fernando Hierro was installed as his replacement for the competition, and Asensio thinks the adversity has brought greater cohesion to the squad."We went through a weird situation that nobody expected and that could have affected us a bit. But we talked it through, we had to remain united, a World Cup is only every four years and is very important for us," added Asensio."Every game is a new challenge, it is very difficult to beat any team and that is what we are seeing."
Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio plans to sort out his club future after Spain's World Cup campaign, amid reported interest from Liverpool.Asensio started the 2017-18 season strongly, scoring in both legs of the Supercopa de Espana triumph over Barcelona, but struggled to retain a place in Zinedine Zidane's star-studded side.
The 22-year-old signed a six-year contract, which reportedly includes a €700 million (£616m/$816m) buyout clause, at the Santiago Bernabeu last September, but has been linked with a close-season switch to Anfield.Asensio came off the bench in Spain's World Cup win over Iran and the 2-2 draw against Morocco on Monday - a result that sent them through to the last 16 as Group B winners - and says the national team is his sole focus for the time being.
Asked about Liverpool's interest, Asensio said: "That's something in the news but I'm very focused in the World Cup."When it ends, we can talk about that kind of thing. I'm very focused here in Russia, on the national team and performing well here."
David de Gea has come under intense scrutiny after an error gave Cristiano Ronaldo his second goal in their opening draw, and has gone on to concede five goals from six shots on targets.
However, Asensio is confident the Manchester United goalkeeper will prove why he is widely considered to be one of the best in his position."I see him calm. He couldn't do much more on the goals [against Morocco]," he said. "The national team keeper is a very demanding role, but he is more than prepared.
"He is willing and he is calm and I'm sure we'll see the sort of performances he has previously shown for the remainder of this World Cup."Spain's campaign was thrown into turmoil when they sacked Julen Lopetegui just two days before their opening match, the coach having agreed to join Madrid less than 24 hours beforehand.
Fernando Hierro was installed as his replacement for the competition, and Asensio thinks the adversity has brought greater cohesion to the squad."We went through a weird situation that nobody expected and that could have affected us a bit. But we talked it through, we had to remain united, a World Cup is only every four years and is very important for us," added Asensio."Every game is a new challenge, it is very difficult to beat any team and that is what we are seeing."
