When a young girl from the Philippines wrote an essay about finding a pair ofNeymar's boots, she had no idea the story would come true.
Leanna, who is just 11, entered a literature competition in Barcelona, where she is studying, and when she heard the chosen subject was "a dream," there was only one thing she was going to write about: her hero, Neymar.
Here is what she wrote, per the Foundation FC Barcelona website:
Once I had a dream where I was in my home country, the Philippines. I was in my town, a smaller place than Barcelona and I was walking to the local football pitch. I went straight into the dressing room where I supposed that my team-mates would be waiting. But all I found was a shoe box. I was surprised and decided to open it, and I was even more surprised when I saw that they were Neymar’s boots. I put them on and went out onto the field to play. When I got there,Neymar was waiting for me to play some football. We played until night-time, when Neymar said he had to go and that it had all been a dream. When I woke up, I could still feel the studs of the boots and my legs ached from so much running.
Her essay ended up winning in her category and caused such a reaction that people started working hard to make the dream come true.
Word of the story got through to Neymar, and he "didn’t think twice, and decided to give Leanna one of his signed boots."
Not surprisingly, Leanna was delighted, saying: "Thank you, Neymar, for giving me this gift. I want to take them to the Philippines this summer, to my family’s home."
It was a simple gesture from Neymar, but one this young girl will never forget.
Neymar defied the advice of Brazil's staff by opting to approach the referee after his sending off during the Copa America defeat to Colombia.
Gilmar Rinaldi, the national team's technical coordinator, warned the Barcelona forward to leave the referee alone after he was red carded for kicking the ball at an opponent and attempting to headbutt Los Cafeteros goalscorer Jeison Murillo.
However, Neymar's ban was extended to four games due to his decision to confront the match official, reported L'Equipe (h/t Tony Mahoney of Goal.com). Despite Neymar's decision to disobey, Gilmar isn't angry with the 23-year-old, per Mahoney:
I told him to be careful because he is responsible for his own actions. Neymar told me it was fair for him to talk to the referee, but I told him that it wasn’t the right time. But this is a learning process. I participated in his nomination as captain and I have no regrets. I have to prepare a great captain.
Barça holidays / Les vacances dels jugadors / Las vacaciones de los jugadores
Barça players explain on social networks, what they are doing in their holidays / Els jugadors del Barça expliquen a les xarxes socials què fan durant les vacances / Los jugadores del Barça explican en las redes sociales las actividades que hacen durante las vacaciones
FC BARCELONA AND LIVERPOOL FC REACH AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF LUIS SUÁREZ
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CELEBRATIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
THE NEW BARÇA KIT FOR THE 2015/16 SEASON, ON SALE
NIKE AND FC BARCELONA UNVEIL NEW AWAY KIT FOR SEASON 2014-15
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH EL CLÁSICO BETWEEN FC BARCELONA AND REAL MADRID
SKILLS: MESSI VS NEYMAR
FC BARCELONA PLAYERS TRY OUT FIFA 15
LEO MESSI NAMED ON THREE-MAN SHORTLIST FOR FIFA BALLON D'OR 2014
TEAM'S JOY SWEEPS SOCIAL NETWORKS
DATES FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP REVEALED
The iconic striker says the organisation is only interested in making money and is thus responsible for the "disintegration" of the Brazilian game
Romario has accused the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) of ruining the country's proud footballing heritage and claimed that the governing body have not only failed Selecao captain Neymar but the national team as a whole.
Brazil were humiliated as hosts of last year's World Cup by being routed 7-1 in the semi-finals by eventual champions Germany and are now desperately looking for answers again after losing on penalties to Paraguay in the last eight of the Copa America.
However, former Selecao striker Romario says he knows exactly who is to blame, arguing that the national team is paying the price for the CBF's alleged greed.
"I do not need to talk much about the shame that we have suffered in seeing our Selecao struggle on the field," he is quoted as saying by SPORT. "But the problem goes far beyond the pitch.
"The disintegration of our football is happening at all levels and stems from the CBF.
"In recent years, they have only thought of [lining] their own pockets and continue sucking everything they can [out of the game].
"Football has survived until now because of the talent on the field. Brazil had enough players to build two great teams, but today they cannot even make one. This is a reflection of the lack of investment and management [by the CBF]."
Romario then singled out CBF president Marco Polo Del Nero for special criticism, claiming that his decision not to travel to Chile for the Copa America symbolised the lack of support for Neymar, whose tournament was ended by a four-match ban incurred for his dismissal after the full-time whistle in Brazil's group-stage loss to Colombia.
"If there had been leaders in Chile, Neymar most likely would not have had such a hard punishment," the former Barcelona forward added. "He had to have a strong legal support to ensure that the punishment was milder.
"Neymar is the star of Brazil and will now miss the first two games of the qualifying for World Cup 2018."
Rio de Janerio: Brazil football great Ronaldo said he hopes Neymar overtakes his scoring records at both club and international level.
Neymar's strike in Barcelona's 6-0 win over Getafe on Tuesday saw him equal Ronaldo's tally of 47 goals for the Catalan club.
Now Ronaldo wants Neymar to eclipse his mark of 62 goals for the Selecao from 98 matches. The 23-year-old has already netted 43 times in 62 international appearances.
"I sincerely hope that Neymar will surpass me in all aspects," Ronaldo told ESPN Brasil.
"Neymar has a brilliant future ahead of him and is already performing fantastically at present. His performances will make the people of Brazil happy because he is a great idol."
Pele is Brazil's most prolific scorer with 77 goals from 92 matches. Ronaldo is next on the list followed by Romario (55 goals from 70 matches), Zico (48 goals from 71 matches) and Neymar.
All three were on target inside 28 minutes as Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before teeing up Luis Suarez to volley home and Neymar was left with the simple task of registering the 100th goal between the trio from Suarez's pass.
Madrid: Barcelona's star front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar brought up a century of goals in all competitions as the Catalans moved five points clear at the top of La Liga with a 6-0 humbling of Getafe on Tuesday.
All three were on target inside 28 minutes as Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before teeing up Suarez to volley home and Neymar was left with the simple task of registering the 100th goal between the trio from Suarez's pass.
Xavi Hernandez then curled home a stunning fourth before Suarez made it 5-0 with a similar finish into the far corner and Messi rounded off the scoring in typical style on his favoured left foot early in the second-half.
Real Madrid can close the gap at the top back to two points when they host Almeria on Wednesday.
"Luckily the first shots on goal we had went in, the team played very well in the first-half and that is the most important thing," said Suarez.
"I don't know if there is a key to our success. There is total commitment among the team and the fans. We are obliged to win important things and we are entering the most important stage of the season."
Barca boss Luis Enrique had resisted the temptation to rest any of his front three despite making four changes from the side that won 2-0 at Espanyol on Saturday with one eye on next week's Champions League semi-final, first-leg against Bayern Munich.
That decision was richly rewarded in a stunning first-half display that tore the helpless visitors to shreds.
Messi put his recent yips from the penalty spot behind him as he opened the scoring by chipping the ball straight down the middle of the goal in the style made famous by Czech legend Antonin Panenka in the 1976 European Championships after Suarez had been felled by Alvaro Arroyo.
Getafe nearly drew level moments later when Claudio Bravo made a brilliant recovery save to claw Fredy Hinestroza's lob to safety to make up for his original poor positioning.
Suarez put the result beyond doubt with a sumptuous volley from Messi's inviting cross and the Uruguayan then turned provider for Neymar to bring up the century.
Moments later Xavi scored what could well be his final goal at the Camp Nou with the veteran expected to move to Qatar at the end of the season by curling the ball high into the far corner.
Xavi's flick then set up Suarez to finish in similar style to register his 21st goal of the season before the break.
Despite the upcoming date with former coach Pep Guardiola and Bayern in eight days time there was little let up from the hosts after the break.
However, the goals did dry up after Messi had curled home his 38th league goal of the campaign to move within one of Cristiano Ronaldo in the race to be La Liga's top goalscorer two minutes into the second period.
The four-time World Player of the Year came close to a seventh hat-trick of the season six minutes from time, but Vicente Guaita made a fine save to turn his free-kick to safety.
Elsewhere, David Moyes's Real Sociedad salvaged a point in the Basque derby away to Athletic Bilbao despite playing most of the second-half with 10 men.
Aritz Aduriz put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot after he had been brought down inside the area by Mike Gonzalez, who saw red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
But a wonderful finish from left-back Alberto de la Bella on his weaker right foot seven minutes later earned Sociedad a point.
At the bottom, Levante moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over the doomed Cordoba thanks to David Barral's first-half winner.
Barcelona dominated from the off and two goals in eight minutes sealed the win as Neymar and Lionel Messi rounded off excellent team moves.
Madrid: Neymar and Lionel Messi were on target as Barcelona produced a sensational first-half performance to take a huge step towards the La Liga title with a 2-0 win at local rivals Espanyol on Saturday.
The visitors dominated from the off and two goals in eight minutes sealed the win as Neymar and Messi rounded off excellent team moves.
Barca were reduced to 10 men early in the second period as Jordi Alba was given his marching orders for taking his protestations towards referee Mateu Lahoz too far, but Luis Enrique's men held on comfortably and could have even added to their lead had Neymar not blazed a glorious chance over 25 minutes from time.
Victory takes Barca four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table with Los Blancos not in action until Sunday when they travel to Celta Vigo.
"I think we played the best first-half of the season in terms of dominating all facets of the game. We had the ball in their half, moved the ball well, created chances and pressed well after losing the ball," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.
"In the second-half I thought we played very well too despite the fact the sending-off could have created doubts or made us struggle a bit more."
Espanyol 'keeper Kiko Casilla kept his side in the game early on as he made two great saves to deny Neymar and Luis Suarez at the end of moves started by fine crossfield passes by Messi.
The Argentine then fed Neymar with a fine ball over the top, but there was just too much purchase on the Brazilian's finish as it looped over Casilla and over the bar.
There was nothing Casilla could do to prevent Neymar opening the scoring on 17 minutes as another stunning pass from Messi fed Alba on the left and his cross was dummied by Suarez to allow Neymar the simplest of finishes.
Barca doubled their advantage eight minutes later in controversial circumstances as Andres Iniesta's pass found Suarez in an offside position, but the flag wasn't raised and he picked out Messi at the back post, who squeezed the ball past Casilla at his near post.
That goal took Messi, Neymar and Suarez's combined tally for the season to 97 and they could even have reached a century on the day had their finishing been more precise.
Casilla made two more terrific saves to deny Neymar after good work from Suarez just before and after the break.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men as Alba was sent-off in innocuous circumstances for his protestations towards the referee after he awarded Espanyol a goal-kick.
Barcelona still enjoyed the best of the chances with 10 men as Messi saw a shot deflected onto the post before Neymar blazed over with the goal at his mercy from Suarez's unselfish cut-back.
Barca's fine day was rounded off when Xavi Hernandez replaced Iniesta for the final few minutes to make his 500th La Liga appearance.
And Lahoz balanced up the numbers on the field in stoppage time by remarkably also showing Hector Moreno two yellow cards in a matter of seconds for contesting a decision.
The National Court in Madrid ordered the trial of Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and the club as a defendant in its own right over alleged tax fraud linked to the signing of star striker Neymar.
Madrid: A Spanish judge Wednesday ordered Barcelona football club to stand trial over alleged tax fraud linked to the signing of Brazilian star striker Neymar.
The National Court in Madrid ordered the trial of Barca's president Josep Maria Bartomeu, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and the club as a defendant in its own right. (Barcelona Survive Bayern Munich Fightback)
They have always said they paid 57 million euros ($65 million) to sign the Brazilian star from his home club Santos in 2013.
The court suspects the actual price was 83 million euros and that Rosell and Bartomeu hid the real cost from the taxman. (Pique Eyes 'Historic' Real Madrid Final)
Judge Jose de la Mata said in a written ruling there was evidence that they "knew the real cost of the signing of Neymar would be greater" than what they recorded in the club's 2013 accounts.
The defendants have 10 days to make court filings in their defence, the court said. It did not set a trial date for the time being.
The ruling comes as Barcelona aim for a possible treble in the Spanish league, Spanish cup and Champions League.
They knocked Bayern Munich out of the Champions League in the second leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Turin: Former Juventus footballer Moreno Torricelli believes his old club will need "guns and bombs" to stop Barcelona in the European Champions League final to be played on June 6 in Berlin.
Torricelli believes four-time Champions Barcelona will have the edge going into the encounter as they boast of a forward line-up of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, who have scored over 100 goals between them this season.
"I think Barcelona start as favourites because of their forward line. You need guns and bombs to stop them!," Torricelli was quoted as saying by goal.com on Thursday.
However, the former Italian international said two-time Champions League winners and Italian champions Juventus will be a threat too as they are defensively sound and can score goals.
"Defensively, Juve are organised but they will need great intelligence and preparation to stop Barca. They will have to work harder than they have at any other point this season.
"They've all got experience in this competition but Juventus can score goals and they will be a threat. They have nothing to lose and their fans will be with them all the way," he said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
