Neymar was on Thursday recalled by coach Dorival Junior to the Brazil team after almost a year and a half out injured for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
Neymar started Brazil’s first four qualifying games but went off injured in a defeat to Uruguay in October 2023, his last appearance for the five-time world champions.
Brazil have struggled in South American World Cup qualifying.
After 12 of the 18 rounds, they are fifth in the 10-nation group. But the top six are guaranteed places in the World Cup and Brazil are five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh.
Neymar returns for qualifiers against Colombia on March 21 and world champions Argentina five days later.
Brazil’s top scorer with 79 goals said last month next year’s World Cup is going to be his last.
FILE: Neymar celebrates after scoring a penalty against South Korea. Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup
READ ALSO: Bayern Beat Leverkusen 3-0 In Champions League Last 16 First Leg
He will be 34 by the time the competition in the USA, Canada and Mexico, kicks off.
Neymar scored for the first time in over 14 months last Sunday with his first goal for Santos since his return to his boyhood club at the start of the month.
The 33-year-old helped Santos beat fourth division Agua Santa 3-1 in a Sao Paulo state championship match.
Neymar, who failed to score in his first three games with Santos, stepped up to slot home a penalty in the 14th minute.
It was his 137th goal in 229 appearances for the club he has returned to after leaving them in 2013 for Barcelona.
It was also his first goal for anyone since October 3, 2023 when he was playing for Al Hilal against Nassaji Mazandaran in the Asian Champions League.
He terminated his contract with the Saudi club at the end of January to return home.
Neymar spent 18 months with Al Hilal after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 on a deal that enriched him by a reported 100 million euros ($103m) a season.
Neymar played five games for them before suffering the serious knee injury playing for Brazil against Uruguay.
Following an enraging altercation with a referee, the French League’s disciplinary commission on Wednesday extended the suspension of Paulo Fonseca until November.
Fonseca, a former AC Milan coach, has had to pay a price for seeing red during his side’s 2-1 victory over Brest on Sunday.
Four weeks ago, Fonseca only took Pierre Sage’s place at the former multiple French champions.
He is now in the difficult position of being banned from the referee’s changing room and the dugout until November 30.
Read more about Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over PSG in the Champions League Last-16 first leg.
On February 2, 2025, at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, south-eastern France, Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) play a football match in the Portuguese national team. (Photo by Christophe Simon/AFP)
He has been prohibited from entering his own team’s changing rooms until mid-September, according to Sebastien Deneux, the commission’s president.
Deneux remarked, “Turning himself in the direction of the referee and yelling at him (Fonseca) displayed an intimidating and threatening attitude.”
Fonseca’s position as Lyon’s head coach must unavoidably be in doubt as a result of the ruling.
Only three games have been overseen by the Portuguese since he arrived on January 31: Lyon’s sixth-placed defeat at home against Marseille, a 4-0 victory over Reims, and a 4-0 victory over Reims.
Following his side’s 3-0 defeat at Auxerre, Marseille president Pablo Longoria was suspended for 15 matches on suspicion of “corruption.” With that, the ruling on Wednesday came a week later.
Deneux expressed regret at the commission’s regret over the behavior of another significant player in Ligue 1.
Mr. Fonseca is a coach in Ligue 1, he is primarily a teacher, and it goes without saying that this attitude is completely incompatible with his responsibilities.
As he praised goal-scoring hero Harvey Elliott, Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged that his team had been very fortunate in their Champions League semifinal victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
“We would already be the lucky ones if there was a draw here.” After his side withstanded a sneer from the hosts in Paris, Slot complied with that statement.
In the 87th minute, substitute Elliott scored the winning goal for PSG in the first leg of the heavyweight last-16 tie, but Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was in command and the visitors won a likely victory there.
PSG, who had 28 attempts in total and had a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia goal disallowed for a tight offside in the 20th minute, said Slot, “they were the much better team today, especially in the first half.”
“They had three or four chances in the opening half, and it was almost miracle that the score was 0-0.”
We waited until the very last second and then injured them because we were already in the game three, four, or five times.
After the Egyptian had failed to have a significant impact on the proceedings, Elliott, age 21, was later sent on for Mohamed Salah. After being set up by Darwin Nunez, he then scored with his first touch.
He cherished it for a long time. Although Elliott has scored in three Champions League games in a row, Slot acknowledged that he occasionally gets frustrated with the amount of time he gets.
He has a limited amount of time to play, but he just keeps on going. For that, I must commend him greatly.
“We were a greater threat than before,” said Darwin Nunez, who also assisted him, who came from a challenging two games. “It wasn’t just Harvey,” he said.
Read more about Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over PSG in the Champions League Last-16 first leg.
PSG’s “Unfair” is
On March 5, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward #29 Bradley Barcola reacts after missing a chance to score in a first-leg football game between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Liverpool (ENG) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
After being held back by their opponents all evening, Liverpool looked poised to come to an end in the title game without scoring for just the fourth time this season.
The coach of Liverpool said, “We were not under-par; it was purely Paris Saint-Germain’s quality and the way they played this season.”
“Luis Enrique made a fantastic team here,” said Enrique. We know it will be a difficult one in a week because it was an incredible challenge to us to escape with a result.
Slot’s opposing number acknowledged that the outcome was painful because PSG had to come to an end with a run of 10 straight victories in every competition.
In terms of the way they played and the chances they created, Luis Enrique said, “We were far superior to Liverpool.”
We produced a flawless performance, defended well, took risks, and deserved to have produced yet another result, but that is football.
We just have to accept that sometimes things are unfair.
Without a doubt, he said when asked if his team still thought they could advance to the quarter-finals before Tuesday’s return leg. There is no way for us to lose as a team.
We deserved much more today. The goalkeeper was their best player, which indicates how the game turned out.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat 112-107 to earn their playoff ticket on Wednesday, earning a grueling 26-point victory.
After extending a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Heat threatened to end their 11-game unbeaten streak in a see-saw battle in Cleveland.
In the final moments, the Cavs resurrected the deficit to claim their 12th straight victory and playoff spot.
With 20 games left in the regular season, the Cavaliers’ 52-10 record keeps them in control of the Eastern Conference.
Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were among six Cleveland players who recorded double-figures in the match.
Mitchell was backed by Evan Mobley for 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Darius Garland forethrew 15 points and 10 rebounds. With a game-high 34 points, Jame Adebayo was among Miami’s scorers.
Mitchell, a Cleveland talisman, could not find comfort in the victory, though.
We locked down and made mistakes, but we’ve got to be better, Mitchell said. “It’s always good to learn through a win, though.”
Cleveland becoming the first team to reach the postseason, Mitchell downplayed.
It’s undoubtedly a blessing and a testament to our perseverance, Mitchell said. “We still have a lot more to accomplish than we were able to do it for the crowd,” said one participant.
The Boston Celtics, Cleveland’s closest rival, defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118 with a pair of incredible 40-pointers from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
Wembanyama Among the NBA All-Star Game Reserves, READ ALSO.
“I’m fortunate to have them.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Aaron Wiggins #2, Jaylin Williams #6, Jalen Williams #8, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 look on after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 5, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/ NBAE/Getty Images/Getty Images via AFP)
White recorded a shooting masterclass that included 10 three-pointers from 16 attempts, finishing with 41 points, while Pritchard recorded 43.
Joe Mazzulla, Boston’s coach, praised White and Pritchard’s double-act, “they were fantastic.” The way those two played, “is a big part of who they are.
They perform a lot of the dirty work. Therefore, it was beneficial for us to have a night like this where those two can demonstrate their abilities.
“We’re fortunate to have them,” he said, “and it’s really entertaining to watch them do that.”
With the victory, the Celtics improved to 44-18 overall and are now eight games adrift of Cleveland’s leaders.
The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the Memphis Grizzlies to defeat them 120-103 in the Western Conference on the back of a 41-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN, “I’m just having fun with the game, nothing more.” “I’m just trying to have fun and play free, trusting my team-mates, and working hard in the off-season,” he said.
Oklahoma City now leads the West by 11 games over the second-place Los Angeles Lakers, who improved to 51-11.
The Nuggets rallied in Denver to end the Sacramento Kings’ 116-110 run.
Denver’s scorers were led by Russell Westbrook, who added 24 points and Nikola Jokic, who added 22.
The Milwaukee Bucks continued to advance their dominance of the Eastern Conference with a 137-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks elsewhere.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 32 points, while Damian Lillard led the Bucks in scoring with 34. The Bucks remain fourth in the Eastern Conference with a season-high of 36-25.
The Minnesota Timberwolves won 125-110 against the Hornets in Charlotte with the help of Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, who each scored 29 points.
World football chief Gianni Infantino announced on Wednesday that the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey will have a half-time show in the style of a Super Bowl.
FIFA President Infantino said that Chris Martin and Phil Harvey, members of the Coldplay band, will choose the performers.
Infantino wrote on Instagram, “I can confirm the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York/New Jersey.”
The FIFA World Cup will have a historic moment, and the show will be appropriate for the biggest sporting event ever.
Prior to the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a meeting of FIFA’s commercial and media partners in Dallas led to Infantino’s announcement.
Infantino did not provide any additional information about the half-time show’s specific details or duration.
The move echoes the performance from Colombian singer Shakira at half-time at the Hard Rock Stadium in the Copa America final last year in Miami.
On the final weekend of the tournament, FIFA also intended to “take over” Times Square in New York.
Despite the Catalan giants having 10 players in the starting lineup for the majority of the game, Raphinha won the Champions League last-16 match 1-0 at Benfica on Wednesday.
Midway through the first half of the scoreless encounter in Lisbon, teenage defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off.
Before the second leg of the match on Tuesday, Raphinha scored after 61 minutes to give Barcelona’s five-time winners a slim lead over Bruno Lage’s side.
READ ALSO: In Champions League Last-16 First Leg, Liverpool defeated PSG 1-0.
After drawing in a match that many people believe is favorable, Barcelona are expected to win the competition again this year.
On a tense evening in the Portuguese capital, Hansi Flick reaffirmed that there was no such thing as an “easy” tie before the game, and the coach was proven right.
On March 5, 2025, SL Benfica and FC Barcelona play at Estadio da Luz stadium in Lisbon in a first leg football match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona, Brazil’s #09 Arthur Cabral (L) and Barcelona’s #04 Ronald Federico Araujo da Silva (L). (Photo by Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP)
After his team won, the German coach declared to the team chapeau, “I’m very proud.”
“This is a big win because it was difficult to play with 10 players in the 22nd minute,” said one player.
Wojciech Szczesny made amends by making two of his best saves as Barca were held to a goal in the final half of the group stage against Benfica in January despite making two high-profile errors.
After a few seconds, Szczesny made a wise save to deny Benfica’s Kerem Akturkoglu, and the opening act showed that both teams were returning from Barcelona’s wild 5-4 victory in Lisbon.
“The last time I didn’t think (Szczesny) left here very happy,” said Barca midfielder Pedri.
He “save a lot” (tonight), one of which is “between the sticks” and “it’s great to have him” when the game first begins. “He saved a lot (tonight), one where you start the game on a bad footing.”
As Barca threatened, Dani Olmo fired a narrow shot wide at the other end before Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a stunning triple save to keep the score level.
The Ukrainian mopped up Lamine Yamal’s attempt from the rebound and then parried Dani Olmo’s prodded effort before making a brilliant stop to thwart Robert Lewandowski’s conversion from point blank range.
We knew how to defend, according to the statement.
Portugal’s #04 Antonio Silva speaks during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League against SL Benfica at the Lisbon Estadio da Luz stadium on March 5, 2025. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP)
After 22 minutes, Cubarsi, 18, was sent off for Barcelona.
Vangelis Pavlidis, who had scored a hat-trick in the group game, was scythed down by the Spaniard as he ran through on goal.
Szczesny saved Ronald Araujo’s free kick from Orkun Kokcu, who was then replaced by Olmo Flick for the defender.
After Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a severe knee injury in September, Barcelona released the Polish goalkeeper, who also performed well in a save to prevent Akturkoglu’s header before the break.
Before Raphinha broke the deadlock, Szczesny made another effective intervention to keep Pavlidis at bay early in the second half.
On March 5, 2025, SL Benfica and FC Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder #16 Fermin Lopez, Barcelona’s Polish forward #9 Robert Lewandowski, and Barcelona’s French defender #23 Jules Kounde celebrate the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg football game at Estadio da Luz stadium in Lisbon. Barcelona won 0-1. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP)
After Flick replaced Yamal with Ferran Torres in the opening half, Raphinha stepped up to win the ball back high up and wallop a low, deflected effort home from distance.
The forward had the best career of his career in his ninth Champions League goal in nine games.
“We had to be focused, we had a chance in our heads, and if we did, we had to score,” Raphinha said.
In the final stages, Barcelona frantically defended as Szczesny and Benfica battled it out for the ball.
When Szczesny felled Andrea Belotti, the hosts believed they had won a penalty, but a mistake occurred during the build-up, and Barcelona stayed in control.
“We already knew how to defend,” Pedri continued.
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