There will be no bow on football’s greatest stage for one of history’s great goalscorers. We’re about to find out how his career winds down Sign up for the World Behind the Cup: a newsletter about more than soccer While soccer’s calendar offers few moments of respite, the World Cup doubles as a time for referendums on the legacies of great players. Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo approach this summer’s tournament expecting it to be their final turn on their sport’s biggest stage. Kevin De Bruyne and Casemiro could clarify their complicated international careers in North America; Neymar may not get the same chance. Missing a sendoff like this may be a bit more relatable to the life that we mortals endure. Indeed, there’s no crueler way for an international career to end than tripping at the final hurdle of World Cup qualification.

Real Madrid returned to winning ways for the first time in a month, ending a four-game winless streak in the process, against Alaves on Tuesday night. Their 2-1 victory did bring with it a bitter note though. After 45 minutes, Eder Militao went down awkwardly. The Brazilian had just looped a shot inside the box […] The post Real Madrid receive first update after Eder Militao limps off against Alaves appeared first on Football España.

Former Italian striker Aldo Serena believes Juventus defender Gleison Bremer would be the ideal signing for Inter Milan. Most fans and observers consider the Brazilian one of the best centre-backs in Serie A, if not the ultimate best. The 29-year-old sustained an ACL injury in October that ruled him out of action for the rest […] The post Aldo Serena Tells Inter Milan To Pursue Juventus Defender: “Exceptional Signing” appeared first on SempreInter.com.

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa backed Vinicius Junior after the star forward was whistled by fans during the team's 2-1 win over Alavés on Tuesday, saying Vinícius had "turned the whistles into applause" with his second-half goal.

A round-up of all the games on Tuesday night in La Liga, as the stakes grow ever higher in the final stages of the season. RCD Mallorca 1-1 Valencia: Mallorca rue chances Martin Demichelis was left ruing his side’s missed opportunity at Son Moix on Tuesday night, after RCD Mallorca drew with Valencia. Following a […] The post La Liga Round-Up: Isco makes long-awaited return for Betis as Unai Simon digs out Athletic Club appeared first on Football España.

Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior each scored as Real Madrid ended a four-game winless streak by defeating Alaves 2-1 on Tuesday to move closer to Spanish league leader Barcelona.

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa was forced to answer multiple questions on his players being whistled by their own fans for a third time this season, following Los Blancos’ 2-1 win over Alaves. Vinicius Junior was the main target for the Santiago Bernabeu again, despite turning out to be the match-winner. Of course the main […] The post “I was whistled as a player too” – Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa on Vinicius Junior reaction appeared first on Football España.

Vinícius Júnior turns 'whistles into applause' in Madrid win espn.in

Real Madrid got themselves back on track in LaLiga as goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior sealed a 2-1 win over Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. After failing to win their last two league matches, Madrid returned to winning ways here, but they still find them six points adrift of leaders Barcelona, […] The post Real Madrid 2-1 Alaves: Mbappe and Vinicius help Arbeloa´s side return to winning ways appeared first on Soccer News.

Former Brazil player Ze Elias harshly criticized Neymar. Neymar has recently been involved in several controversies that have overshadowed his performances on the field with Santos, as well as his chances of competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. Former player Ze Elias weighed in on the situation. After a message posted by Neymar on social media addressing criticism he received for making a gesture interpreted as provoking fans, Ze Elias did not hold back in his assessment of the Santos forward. “He acts like a child, you know? A 16-year-old kid, 15 or 16, who doesn’t have the capacity or understanding to know what he is,” the former midfielder said. “If he knew and understood what he is and what he represents, he wouldn’t behave like that. And he’s always the victim—people are always picking on him, he’s always right and everyone else is wrong, the whole world is wrong,” Ze Elias added during an appearance on ESPN Brasil. This incident came just days after Neymar had a heated exchange with some Santos fans who confronted him over the team’s poor results in the Brazilian Serie A. “I’m giving absolutely everything out here and you don’t respect that,” the forward said, before mocking the physical appearance of one of the fans involved in the argument. Ze Elias playing for Inter Milan in 1998. Ze Elias believes Neymar should not play in the World Cup Ze Elias’ comments were not limited to Neymar’s off-field behavior and controversies. He also took time to analyze the forward’s performances with Santos and explain why he believes it would not be a good decision to include him in Brazil’s World Cup squad. “I no longer think about Neymar in the Brazil national team, because we have to analyze what Carlo Ancelotti is asking from the team,” the former player said. “We have to be objective, beyond emotions. In this Brazil team, Neymar would stand in midfield asking for the ball. When he does that, who does it hurt? The national team.” Ze Elias then addressed Neymar’s current version as a player. “If the ball doesn’t move quickly today, you can’t impose yourself on opponents. Today you need speed and intensity—qualities Neymar had in the past and no longer has,” the pundit explained. “His talent is unquestionable, that can’t be taught, but we have to be realistic. Now he shows flashes of brilliance—but not for the national team.” Who is Ze Elias? Ze Elias’ remarks are backed by his career as a player. He began with Corinthians in 1993 and later had an extensive spell in Europe, playing for clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan and Genoa, among others. In addition, the former midfielder represented Brazil in two major tournaments: the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he won a bronze medal, and the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Brazil reached the final but fell to Mexico.