LETHAL LEO AIMS HIGH
Neymar fires up debut ace
LEO BONATINI wasted no time in winning over Wolves fans – then announced his ambition to join £200m compatriot Neymar on the world stage.
The 23-year-old, a former Brazilian youth international, knows the superstar through a former girlfriend.
And after downing title favourites Boro with a 33rd-minute winner, he revealed his aims to move on to bigger and better things – after helping Wolves into the Premier League.
“I have never played football with him but my ex-girlfriend knows his girlfriend, so although I don’t know him personally, I feel as if I do,” he said of Paris St-Germain’s new boy.
“I wish him all the best in Paris – he deserves it. He is a very good player and an idol for everyone in Brazil. I hope to play with him one day.
“It’s one thing to see such a good player on TV but I want to play with him to find out how good he really is. But I’m not thinking of that for now. I’m only thinking about Wolves.”
Bonatini had just four days to settle at Molineux after arriving on loan from Saudi club Al-Hilal.
He added: “One week ago I was in Austria and I knew nothing about this. Now the ambition is to get into the Premier League. But we can’t think about that. We can only think about winning and enjoying our football.”
Pace
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo spent around £19m of Fosun International’s money in the summer and has built a side bristling with pace and poise.
Seven full debutants, including £15m midfielder Ruben Neves, were quickly into their stride, although Boro’s Danish summer arrival from Toulouse, Martin Braithwaite, should have equalised from Cyrus Christie’s pinpoint cross.
Wolves quickly turn their attentions to tomorrow’s EFL Cup opponents Yeovil, hammered 8-2 at Luton.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s Adam Clayton promised a swift response to the defeat. “We have the bottle and the guile to get through it,” he said.
“These early stages are a bit of sparring and you get your wins on the board. When you get past Christmas, that’s when you get the big stuff.
“We know we can play miles better. There is no talk of pressure and I don’t think that will affect us one bit.”