Saturday, July 6, 2013
Messi: Barcelona are ideal for Neymar
The Argentina superstar says he has had the privilege of playing with many world-class players and believes the Brazilian will fit right in at the Blaugrana
Lionel Messi says Barcelona are the "ideal club" for new striker Neymar.
The €57million signing from Santos lit up June's Confederations Cup with an array of stunning performances, including a venomous left-footed drive for Brazil in a 3-0 final win against Spain.
Many have questioned whether or not the 21-year-old will be able to play alongside Messi but the Argentine himself insists Barcelona can help nurture Neymar's development.
"I have the good fortune to play with many world champions and Neymar is another great player who has joined the club. It's very nice to play with great players and I think this is the ideal club for him," he told El Mundo Deportivo.
The Blaugrana romped to Liga success last season but suffered the ignominy of losing 7-0 on aggregate to eventual winners Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final and Messi says the target this year is to collect more silverware.
"The goal is to get all the titles with Barca," he added. Every year we prepare for that and we also want to have a good pre-season."
Zico revealed he believes Messi is the greatest player never to have lifted a World Cup and the four-time Ballon d'Or winner appreciated the Brazil legend's comments.
"I appreciate those words of Zico," he continued.
"I always try to perform to the highest level and get all the titles. Obviously the World Cup is a dream of mine, my team-mates and the entire country.
"But it's not only the World Cup that I want to play in, it's all competitions. I always want to play every game with the same desire.
"It's too far away to think about the World Cup just now with it being a year away."
Nigeria beat Ivorian Elephants 4-1
Wearing black armbands in honour the late Thompson Oliha, the home-based Super Eagles started the game with some neat exchanges of passes, with Gomo Onduku and Ezekiel Mba inspiring Nigeria's early incursions against a tough Ivorian team led by Roger Assale and Coulibaly.
Mohammad Gambo redeemed his image with a well taken goal to give Nigeria a deserved lead in the 12th minute. The Kano Pillars striker received a pass from Sunday Mba before turning his marker to drive home a left footed shot.
Both sides continued to create chances but it was Nigeria that would score again to double their advantage through Mba in the 28th minute after a long ball from Oboabona was met by Ezekiel Mba who whipped in a cross for Sunday Mba to blast home from outside the box.
Gambo headed home a cross from Kwambe in the 36th minute but the goal was disallowed. But inspite of pressure from Nigeria, the Ivorian’s remained resilient and were duly rewarded when Assale and Coulibaly combined well for the latter to score and pull a goal back for the Elephants going into the break.
Upon resumption of the second half, Enyimba's Ifeanyi Edeh came on for Gomo Onduku.
The Ivorian’s suffered a depletion when the referee sent off Baresi for a hard tackle on Mba. Their plight was worsened when a penalty was awarded against them when an Ivorian player handled the ball off a corner kick taken by Kwambe in the 48th minute, leading to a protest from the Ivorian’s which culminated in Roger Assale being sent off for a verbal assault on the referee.
Mba scored with the penalty kick and Nigeria continued to dominate with the likes of Oboabona, and substitute Emeka Eze missing near chances.
Nigeria eventually sealed the win when Mba put Ifeanyi Edeh through to score the fourth goal in the 80th minute.
Tottenham confirm Paulinho signing
Tottenham have announced the signing of Corinthians and Brazil midfielder Paulinho. Topspotafrica revealed that the north London outfit agreed a €20 million deal with Corinthians for the versatile midfielder in June, but confirmation of the deal was put on hold until after the Selecao's involvement in the Confederations Cup.
Paulinho shone in the tournament, scoring against Japan and Uruguay in the group stages before helping Luiz Felipe Scolari's men destroy Spain in the final to lift the trophy on home turf.
The 24-year-old flew to England and underwent a medical on Friday before completing the deal, which amounts to €17 million with a further €2m in potential add-ons that would break the club's record transfer fee.
"I am very happy and excited to have joined Spurs," he told the club's official website. "It's a huge pleasure for my career to be at a club as big as Tottenham."
Andre Villas-Boas is now expected to turn his full attention to bolstering his strikeforce as the club look to mount a challenge for a top-four finish next season, with Barcelona forward David Villa nearing a move and Aston Villa star Christian Benteke the subject of an enquiry.
Paris Saint-Germain offer Cavani €8 million per year'
Palermo's president has revealed the terms offered by the Ligue 1 outfit to the Uruguay international and praised the player's current club for holding out for a big transfer fee
Maurizio Zamparini has claimed Paris Saint-Germain have offered Napoli striker Edinson Cavani an €8 million per year deal.
The Ligue 1 champions are reportedly willing to match the 26-year-old's €63 million minimum fee release clause and have already agreed personal terms with Cavani over a five-year deal.
And the Palermo president praised the Partenopei for holding firm during negotiations and commanding a colossal fee for the Uruguay international.
"I have texted De Laurentiis to congratulate him on doing even better than I did [while dealing with PSG]. He has outdone the €43 million that we got for Javier Pastore when we sold him to PSG," the Palermo president told Radio Radio.
"De Laurentiis had to make this deal. He did well to say that he wanted a transfer fee like this.
"Cavani is a unique player.
He has since developed into one of the most sought-after players around in Europe, with clubs such as Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea all rivalling PSG for the striker's signature.
The French giants are leading the race for Cavani's signature, though, with reports from Italy claiming they could complete the deal in the upcoming days.
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