Latest news with #Seleção
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Business Standard
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Will Brazil's Neymar Jr. get one final go at the FIFA World Cup in 2026?
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticks on, one of Brazil's biggest footballing questions still hangs in the air: Will Neymar be there? Once seen as the face of Brazilian football's future, Neymar's recent years have been plagued by injuries, inconsistency, and speculation. Yet, his raw talent continues to inspire belief among the Seleção faithful. Rodrigo Caetano, director of selections at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), recently addressed the topic in an interview with ESPN. His message was clear: if Neymar is fit, there's no question about his place in the squad. 'There is always room for a good player' 'There is no doubt that he is a technical exponent of the generation and the Brazilian national team. It is unanimous that, if he is in clinical and physical conditions, the technique is indisputable. And there is always room for a good player, especially one that is exceptional,' Caetano said. While Neymar's brilliance on the pitch remains undisputed, his availability is the concern clouding his World Cup prospects. He featured in just 4 of Brazil's 16 World Cup Qualifier matches, a glaring statistic for a player of his stature. His most persistent battle has been with his body. Knee injuries, ankle problems, and recurring knocks have limited his ability to string together consistent playing time since 2022. For fans and coaches alike, it's not a matter of whether Neymar can deliver, it's whether he will be there to do so. A Glimmer of Hope at Santos Since rejoining Santos, Neymar has shown glimpses of his old magic. Encouragingly, he has started, and completed, four consecutive matches, a streak not seen in years. During this run, he scored a goal in a famous win over Flamengo and led from the front, despite mixed team results. The fact that he's avoiding substitutions and absorbing full-match pressure suggests that his rehabilitation may finally be turning a corner. Starter or Super Sub? If Neymar maintains fitness, he's almost guaranteed a place in Brazil's 2026 squad. Whether he starts remains to be seen. With a new generation of attacking talent like Rodrygo, Endrick, and Vinícius Jr., rising through the ranks, Neymar might evolve into a deeper role, possibly as a No. 10 or second striker, where his creativity and vision can be maximized without the physical demands of a winger. 'For a player to technically stand out, if he is technically well, the issue of talent stands out in relation to the others. Which is the case with him.' Neymar's path to 2026 is still uncertain. But as long as there's a ball at his feet and hope in his legs, Brazil will be watching.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Why Lucas Ribeiro shouldn't be naturalised for Bafana Bafana
He just needs a move to a big European league and he will definitely be in the Seleção conversation. Lucas Ribeiro #10 of Mamelodi Sundowns FC scores his team's first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group F match against Borussia Dortmund at TQL Stadium on June 21 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo: Dylan Buell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP Lucas Ribeiro's wonder goal against Borussia Dortmund at the FIFA Club World Cup which was later named Goal of the Tournament has reinforced what many already believe. The Brazilian attacker is operating on another level and should not be naturalised to play for South Africa. The Sundowns star collected the ball deep inside his own half, went past two Dortmund defenders, and coolly slotted it beyond Gregor Kobel. The world applauded, but South African fans were not surprised because they've seen it before. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Ribeiro wins Club World Cup goal of the tournament That goal mirrored his solo strike against Orlando Pirates in a Betway Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld. It was the same surging run, the same composure, the same clinical finish. Only this time, the world was watching and the moment of genius will be talked about for years to come. Ribeiro has shown at the highest level that he has the quality to compete with the best. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The 26-year-old is good enough for the Brazilian national team. His overall display at the global showpiece in the United States proved as much. He just needs a move to a big European league and he will definitely be in the Seleção conversation. In the PSL, he simply looks a class above the rest. He glides past defenders as though they aren't there. At times, it genuinely feels like he's playing with children, that's how good he is. In fact, there's nothing for him to prove in the PSL anymore and the only natural progression would be to seek greener pastures. Of course, Bafana would benefit from a player of Ribeiro's calibre, but the country's proud footballing heritage and historical background dictates that home grown players should be prioritised to represent the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winners. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Cardoso reacts to being honoured in Portugal Brazil may be stacked with attacking talent like Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo, Neymar, Cunha and Raphinha, but Ribeiro is arguably a better all-round player than Manchester United outcast Antony. Ribeiro's story is far from over. A move to Europe could well be next, and with it, a chance to realise his dream of representing Brazil.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 Copa América Femenina Group B Preview: Brazil And Colombia Set To Do Battle
The two finalists from the last edition of the Copa América Femenina are both in Group B this time ... More around. (Photo by) Record champions Brazil and rising force Colombia are the two outright favorites to win the 2025 Copa América Femenina. Regardless of whether they meet in the final, they will certainly face off once on the final day of the group stage. 🇧🇷 Brazil Current FIFA Ranking: #4 Copa América History: 9 previous appearances; best result: Champions (1991, 1995, 1998, 2003, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022) Other Major International Trophies: N/A Brazil have won all but one Copas América to date and are firm favorites to extend that record, so they will be the team to watch this tournament. After their shock group stage elimination from the last World Cup, Brazil hired Arthur Elias to lead the team on the road to bouncing back. He has done a good job so far, leading the team to runners-up finishes in both the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and 2024 Summer Olympics behind the United States Women's National Team (USWNT). In the process, they have beaten the likes of world champions Spain and France. The Seleção have done equally well against such strong opposition in recent friendlies, often adopting a more pragmatic style of play to get those results. They will be the dominant side at the Copa América, though, so they will have to shift to a more front-footed approach. The legendary Marta returned to the Brazil squad recently after previously announcing her retirement at the end of the last Olympics. While she is still going strong as she approaches 40 years of age, this certainly is a high time for others to step up and take the mantle. 25-year-old Kerolin could well be one of the stars of the show as she certainly is quite dynamic and gifted on the ball. Brazil's historic and recent record means that anything short of the title will always be a disappointment for them. 🇨🇴 Colombia Current FIFA Ranking: #18 Copa América History: 7 previous appearances; best result: runners-up (2010, 2014 and 2022) Major International Trophies: N/A Colombia have been a growing force in South America over the last few years and have now started to make an impression on the international stage. This tournament presents them with a great opportunity to make a serious statement of intent. Colombia were one of the standouts at the last World Cup as they reached the quarterfinals before narrowly losing to would-be finalists England. They got equally far in the Olympics, where world champions Spain needed penalties to defeat them. Additionally, Las Cafeteras made it to the knockouts in last year's CONCACAF W Gold Cup before being beaten by the eventual champions, the USWNT. Colombia were one of the neutrals' favorites at the last World Cup. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty ... More Images) All in all, Ángelo Marsiglia's side have clearly been excellent at major tournaments in recent years. Their friendly results do not look as great, but that is only because they have generally played quite strong opposition. So, they should be in good shape going into the tournament. Once the world's most expensive player in women's soccer for a brief period, Mayra Ramírez remains among the world's very best strikers and will surely be key to Colombia's Copa América campaign. From holding up play and outmuscling defenders to attacking crosses and scoring goals, she can pretty much do it all up front. On the whole, Colombia's squad does look second-best to Brazil's. They still are a cut above the rest, so reaching the final must be their minimum target. 🇵🇾 Paraguay Current FIFA Ranking: #45 Copa América History: 7 previous appearances; best result: semifinalists (2022) Major International Trophies: N/A Paraguay will have to pull off something quite special to repeat their feat of reaching the knockouts from last time, but they should pose the toughest opposition to the two group favorites. Paraguay appointed Fábio Fukumoto as their head coach earlier this year, so they have only had time to play a few friendlies under him. They lost both games against Uruguay but drew and won against Ecuador. The 36-year-old tactician will know a good few of the players from his time coaching at the youth levels, though, but he will quickly have to get things spot on in terms of putting an XI together. Captain Jessica Martínez is averaging around a goal per game in her international career across all levels, so she should very much be expected to star in the Paraguayan attack. She will be tasked with leading a more collective attacking effort against weaker opposition but might also have to do more of a solo job against Brazil and Colombia. Paraguay will have a chance to start the tournament with a bang as their opener is against lowest-ranked Bolivia, but the real challenges will come thereafter. They should aim to push Colombia as far as possible at least, but reaching the knockouts will take a special effort. 🇻🇪 Venezuela Current FIFA Ranking: #48 Copa América History: 8 previous appearances; best result: third place (1991) Major International Trophies: N/A Venezuela's best performance at the Copa América came in the tournament's inaugural edition when just three teams took part. Thereafter, they have never managed to make it past the group stage. Venezuela also appointed a young Brazilian head coach earlier this year in the shape of Ricardo Belli. He too has had just four friendlies to prepare for the tournament but has done well to oversee wins over both Panama and New Zealand in those games. Venezuela have a fair few players in their squad who are currently playing in some of the world's top leagues, so they should not be short of star quality. Deyna Castellanos could well have a couple of moments of magic in her as she certainly is capable of something special when the ball is at her feet. Much like Paraguay, Venezuela only have an outside shot at a top two spot but should aim to give it a go at least. Failing that, they should compete for fifth place in the tournament for a spot in the 2027 Pan American Games. 🇧🇴 Bolivia Current FIFA Ranking: #105 Copa América History: 8 previous appearances; best result: group stage Major International Trophies: N/A Bolivia are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament by some margin, but the one plus point for them might be their comfort in higher altitudes as they visit a city that is close to three kilometres above sea level for the tournament. Bolivia have lost each of their last nine friendlies and have just one win on the record since 2018! They will evidently need something special to come away with as much as a point from this tournament. Ángela Cárdenas has featured for Bolivia at the Copa América since 2010 when she was just 17 years old. Now past the age of 30, the experienced midfielder must lead the way as her team will have to outwork their opponents if they are to have any chance of getting a result. As the weakest team in the tournament, Bolivia will not have much weight of expectations on them. Of course, they should look to give a good account of themselves and fight for a result or two.
Vancouver Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
'You had just gotten married': Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute after teammate Diogo Jota killed in car crash
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his international team-mate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash on Thursday, saying 'we will all miss you.' The Liverpool and Portugal star, 28, died along with his younger brother Andre when their vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora province, Spain. Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… 'It makes no sense. We were just together with the national team (they won the Nations League title last month), you had just gotten married,' he posted on X. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' Jota's death comes only a month after he and Ronaldo were celebrating on the pitch after Portugal won the Nations League title beating Spain on penalties. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
'You had just gotten married': Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute after teammate Diogo Jota killed in car crash
Article content Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his international team-mate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash on Thursday, saying 'we will all miss you.' Article content The Liverpool and Portugal star, 28, died along with his younger brother Andre when their vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora province, Spain. Article content Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025 Article content 'It makes no sense. We were just together with the national team (they won the Nations League title last month), you had just gotten married,' he posted on X. Article content Article content 'To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' Jota's death comes only a month after he and Ronaldo were celebrating on the pitch after Portugal won the Nations League title beating Spain on penalties. Article content
