We want to make history and will do everything to beat Real
DETERMINED Paris Saint Germain striker Neymar says his French side has it in them to deny Real their third Champions League title
: The 2018 FIFA World Cup is only a few months away and the planet will be awaiting the biggest names in football to unleash their skills when they take the field in Russia in June and July.
One of those names is Neymar Jr, who in August 2017 became the world’s most expensive player after his transfer from La Liga giants Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 25-year-old Brazilian, who is currently promoting the Red Bull supported Neymar Jr’s five a side tournament, spoke on various topics; from whom he considers the favourites for the World Cup to how he and the Brazilian team want to rise from the ghost of the
2014 World Cup at home.
Excerpts:
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is upon us. Which teams do you think are the favourites and why? Which side is likely to spring a surprise?
The best-known teams are the favourites. Among these would be Brazil, Germany, France, Spain and Argentina. These teams will be the highlights in any tournament. And for the surprise, Belgium has an excellent team and can be a surprise in this Cup.
What will be the difference in your approach in 2018 from the last World Cup when you scored four goals? Can Brazil rise from the ghost of 2014 to win this year?
It will be a lot more different this time. It’s strange because I didn’t finish that World Cup the way I wanted to the last time. Obviously I wanted to crown it with the title, but I didn’t finish the World Cup. My tournament ended with a serious injury and, unfortunately, I had to pay for that. That was a really bad week for me. I cried a lot and asked myself many times why it had happened. But eventually you understand that everything that happens in life, makes you stronger, even if it’s not something you want at that particular time.
It helps you to learn and prepare yourself better in the future. In 2018 I feel I’m more experienced and wiser because I’ve had many experiences. I participated in a World Cup where we lost and now I’ll be more prepared for the next one, because I know what it’s like to be in a World Cup, I can be better prepared.
With Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia, how tough or easy is Brazil’s group in the World Cup?
Brazil is ready to face anyone. We train so much that we’re not afraid of anyone. It’s a World Cup, so the best teams are there and all of them are well-prepared with tremendous quality.
You can’t pick one team over another, thinking that they’ll be weaker. You just have to be ready when you go to a World Cup. All the games will be very
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difficult – that’s why it’s called the World Cup, right? We have the best teams in the world and every game will be huge. This World Cup is going to be huge for Brazilians. Personally, I’m going to give everything I’ve got to win it.
Who will be the player to watch out for at the 2018 World Cup and why?
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah is a great player who can make a difference in the World Cup.
Your move to PSG was the most expensive ever. How is French club football different to Spain’s and Brazil’s?
The European style is very similar everywhere, so there’s not much difference between the leagues. The Brazilian players in Paris helped me a lot here, all the guys from our team in general, the Spaniards, they have all helped me to adapt. It’s getting easier for me.
What do you make of the PSG v Real Madrid Champions League encounter?
We want to make history and will do everything possible to eliminate them. We know it will be a difficult game. Real Madrid players have been together for many years. They are looking for their third successive Champions League, but I know we can beat them.