Neymar neurosis clouding Brazil’s European trip
LONDON — It is with a raincloud hovering above the head of its superstar Neymar that Brazil is gearing up for its final assignment of 2017 against England at Wembley on Tuesday.
Though Neymar has scored 11 goals in 12 games since his world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona, recent weeks have yielded stories of rifts with his teammates and disagreements with coach Unai Emery.
He cut a fragile figure in the media conference that followed Brazil’s 3-1 friendly win over Japan in Lille on Friday, wiping away tears as national coach Tite spoke out in his defense before the player hurriedly left the room.
“When you are an idol, an example in the eyes of so many people, you have to be perfect and very often I am not,” Neymar said before departure.
“I am a young man of 25 with a lot to learn in football.”
Neymar has generally dazzled in Ligue 1 since completing his $264 million transfer from Barca, but his recent performances have betrayed signs of unease.
He was sent off in PSG’s 2-2 draw at Marseille after being shown a second yellow card for reacting angrily to a foul by Lucas Ocampos.
Although he scored (and squandered a penalty) against Japan, he was also booked for cuffing Hiroki Sakai — who plays for Marseille — on the back of the head.
Of greater concern for PSG’s fans have been reports emanating from Brazil that Neymar has already expressed regret about leaving Barcelona. his abrupt
He has returned to Barcelona at least twice since the start of the season, twice being pictured on social media with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and is even reported to have asked them how they would feel if he came back for good.
But for PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, Neymar’s emotional media conference was merely a reminder that the superstar is only flesh and blood.
“It just proves that he’s a man like anyone else,” Mbappe told French television channel TF1 on Sunday.
“He’s like us — he has two arms, two legs and one heart. He can be affected by all the criticism he gets.
“From the outside, he gives the impression that he’s not affected, even if there (in Lille), he let go.
“When you’re on the inside, he opens up to you and shows that he’s someone normal.”
Neymar aside, Brazil has had a little else to worry about, having finished 10 points clear in South American qualifying for next year’s World Cup following the dynamizing midcampaign appointment of Tite as coach.
Tite is expected to rotate his starting XI from the Japan game, with Neymar’s PSG teammates Dani Alves and Marquinhos, as well as Philippe Coutinho and Diego, among the players tipped to come into the starting XI.
England encouraged
England will approach the game in a positive frame of mind after an inexperienced and injury-depleted side produced an encouraging display in a 0-0 draw against Germany on Friday.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is on loan at Crystal Palace, both impressed on their debuts as manager Gareth Southgate gave five players a first taste of international soccer.
There could be more debuts in the offing against Brazil after Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook and Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke were drafted into the squad, along with young Manchester City goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
“I think we did well against a well-oiled machine in Germany,” said Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier, who captained England against the Germans. “We need to continue to build and not just against Brazil, but for the future.”