Welcome to Sport News and Entertainment: 09/04/13

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Ronaldo: Neymar will learn from Messi

The Brazil legend believes the 21-year-old is not yet at the same level as the Argentine or Cristiano Ronaldo, but backed him to make big strides in Europe. Brazilian legend Ronaldo believes Neymar will benefit from playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

The 21-year-old Brazil star joined the Blaugrana in the summer from Santos and has already found the back of the net for his new club, having scored in the first leg of Barca's Spanish Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid. And Ronaldo feels Neymar will flourish at Camp Nou, but stated he is not yet at the same level as Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I think we are going to continue talking about Messi and Cristiano, because with Neymar we will have to wait," he told Europa Press. “He is a young player, but he will learn and will become one of the best too.

"Neymar will learn a lot with Barca, with Messi, with European football and it comes in handy for there to be lots of Brazilians playing in Europe. “And, although it will be difficult at first, in the long run for Neymar it will be very good.” Barca spent €54 million to secure the services of Neymar from Santos back in June.

New Schalke Signing: Kevine-Prince Boateng

The 26-year-old has responded angrily after the coach jokingly questioned the Ghanaian's decision to move to Gelsenkirchen. New Schalke signing Kevin-Prince Boateng says Jurgen Klopp's comments regarding his transfer from AC Milan were not funny.

The 26-year-old spent a stint on loan at Dortmund in the 2008-09 season, under the guidance of Klopp, and impressed before continuing his career at Portsmouth and the Rossoneri. The Ghana international caused a stir when he signed for Dortmund's arch-rivals Schalke last week, and Klopp made comments in jest about the 26-year-old after admitting his surprise at the midfielder's choice of destination.

"Many people thought it was funny, but I didn't," Boateng told Sport-Bild.

"Even if 'Kloppo' and I have a good relationship, he's not going to hear me say a bad word about him, but this press conference surprised me."

Boateng played a key role in Schalke's 2-0 Bundesliga win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, ending a three-game winless run in the Bundesliga in the process. The Ghanaian joined Schalke from Milan for €15 million last month, signing a four-year deal with the German club.

Enyeama, Mikel, Moses in camp for Malawi game

The national team’s preparation has been up tempo with the arrival in camp of top players on Tuesday afternoon as the squad prepares for Saturday’s game against Malawi, After a dull Monday afternoon, the Super Eagles camp at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel came alive on Tuesday afternoon with almost all the top players already in town.

However, only 12 of them trained in the evening session at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar. Among early trainers for the African champions are standing skipper, Vincent Enyeama, Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, goalkeepers Ausin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim. New Turkey recruit, Godfrey Oboabona, James Okwuosa, who was the first player to arrive camp on Monday morning, Brown Ideye, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Lazio midfield anchor, Ogenyi Onazi and Uche Nwofor, who scored two beautiful goals against South Africa in the Mandela Challenge.

When the team arrived camp its hotel other players who came in through Abuja were already waiting. Among them were Efe Ambrose, Sunday Mba, Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor and Victor Moses. Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has said he is happy with the response of the players and he expects a good game against Malawi on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has assured that the entire state will be out to support the team on Saturday, declaring that he was sure that the team will whip the mouthy Malawians come Saturday.