“The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost; for none now live who remember it.” -What middle-aged soccer fans will be saying come 2040
France defeated Russia 3-1 on Tuesday in a friendly at Saint Petersburg’s Krestovsky Stadium (the most expensive World Cup stadium of all time) with a brace from Kylian Mbappe and a wonderfully struck free kick from sometimes Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
Stephen Hawking, perhaps the most famous scientist since Albert Einstein, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 76, a sad day for anyone who appreciates science (or the technologies science has given us, which is to say all technology). But on Wednesday afternoon, a tone-deaf Neymar Stephen Hawking tribute has us wondering if the Brazilian soccer star was mocking the British scientist.
Timothy Weah, the son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, made his senior debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, coming on as a 79th minute substitute in the club’s victory over Troyes in Ligue 1 play. Timothy just celebrated his 18th birthday on Feb. 22, and the native of New York City almost snatched a goal on his first appearance.
With Neymar potentially out for the rest of the season, Lucas Moura gone to Tottenham Hotspur, Kylian Mbappe nursing a right ankle injury and Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore being rested in preparation for Real Madrid in the Champions League next week, it looks like 18-year-old American youth international Timothy Weah will make his PSG debut on Saturday against Troyes.
Weah, the son of 1995 Ballon d'Or winner George Weah, is not even listed as being on the first team on PSG's website.
In the 77th minute of PSG’s routine 3-0 victory over Marseille Sunday night, a seemingly innocuous moment led to Neymar remaining on the ground while play continued around him. 10 seconds later, with Neymar still writhing in agony and in clear discomfort, PSG played the ball out so their Brazilian star could receive treatment.
Neymar was then stretchered off the field while crying inconsolably. For many, the world’s most expensive player had clearly just suffered a serious injury (perhaps a broken ankle), calling into question his participation at the World Cup.
French football is lighting our brains on fire right now, from PSG setting transfer fee records and securing some of the most exciting talents in the world to a the national team being a legitimate contender for this summer’s World Cup. And if you needed any more evidence of the talent on display in the country, take a look at two of the most absurd goals you’ll ever see, both scored in the same French third division match.
Neymar’s performance against Real Madrid — for all the end product it obviously lacked — did little to quell the notion that he's the world’s best dribbler. He managed 13 successful dribbles against Madrid, more than any other player has completed in a Champions League game this season.
What crisis in Madrid? All’s well for Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid after an impressive 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday. While there’s still a second leg to play in Paris, the Real Madrid vs PSG fixture is now the defending champions’ to lose.
Paris is supposed to be the most romantic city in the world. The City of Lights, with its Eiffel Tower, Gothic architecture and delicious bread, is the ideal place for couples in love to spend Valentine’s Day. But these PSG fans either didn’t get that memo or just care more about their football club than their significant other.