Neymar signed for Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos after long speculation in 2013. Many argued he wouldn’t work out and that he wouldn’t mesh well with the side. Others spoke of his similarities to former Barcelona and Brazilian international Ronaldinho, and argued these would lead to success for the young winger.
Champions League Quarterfinals kicked off today with Bayern Munich facing Benfica and Barcelona taking on fellow La Liga foes, Atletico Madrid. Fernando Torres opened the scoring for Atletico in the 25th minute, however he was sent off with his second yellow card 10 minutes later. Madrid was down to 10 men and Luis Suarez took advantage when he scored in the 63rd and 74th minute. Barcelona would hold on to the lead and win 2 - 1. Bayern Munich got off to a hot start as Arturo Vidal scored on a header in the 2nd minute. His goal would prove to be the winner.
The Barcelona trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – or MSN – is probably the best attacking force in soccer history. The unbelievable chemistry of the trio combined with the outrageous individual skills they all possess makes MSN unstoppable. Yet, for all their unbelievable achievements with Barcelona, success at the national level has evaded all of them. Sure, Suarez has a Copa America under his belt, and Neymar won the Confederation's Cup, but these are small potatoes compared to the ultimate prize: the World Cup.
Sometimes it must really suck to be Neymar. After he lost his head during the Brazil vs Uruguay World Cup Qualifier, he apparently went out on the town and partied. Of course, being the celebrity that he is, people found out. The Brazilian media skewered him and now we have another Ronaldo Birthday party situation on our hands.
To be fair to the Brazilian media, Neymar and Brazil did squander a 2-0 lead that for a time looked fairly secure.
The last day of Champions League Round of 16 featured four world-renowned teams. Arsenal traveled to FC Barcelona hoping to make up a 2-0 aggregate deficit, while Bayern Munich and Juventus were tied at two.
Neymar made his professional debut when he was just 17 years old. He was still a kid, with idols and a need to prove himself, and probably had no idea how much success he would eventually see. Seven years later, Neymar is a part of one of the greatest teams of all time, and has done enough to surpass Neymar’s greatest idol as a child: Robinho.
This month we celebrate the seven year anniversary of Neymar's debut in professional football for Santos FC, which happened when he was just 17. Since then Neymar has collected titles, individuals awards, and many other achievements the likes of which few could have imagined he would achieve. He is one of the kings of international football, and plays with players idolized all over the world.
The grandest football stadium in all of Europe is about to get a little bigger. Barcelona have released their ambitious plans to remodel and increase the capacity of their Camp Nou stadium by the start of the 2021/22 season.
The renovations will see the overall capacity of the footballing cathedral increase from 99,354 to 105,000. The atmosphere and noise generated by 105,000 supporters will also be cranked up a notch with the addition of a roof which will cover the seats around the entirety of the stadium, ensuring that the noise within cannot get out.
FC Barcelona traveled to England and beat Arsenal 2 - 0. Messi scored both goals, the first in the 71st minute and the second on a penalty in the 83rd. While in Turino, Italy, Bayern took a two goal lead from Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben. Mueller scored the first goal in the 43rd minute and Robben added the 2nd in the 55th. Juventus battled back for the 2 - 2 tie with goals in the 63rd and 76th minute. The first was scored by Paulo Dybala and the tying goal came from Stefano Sturaro.
Poor Neymar. The Barcelona striker finds himself embroiled in a battle between the Brazilian government and Barcelona over how much his transfer fee from Santos to the Catalan giants was. To make matters worse, as a result of some (read: more money than anyone reading this will see in their lives) unpaid taxes the Selecao captain has had $50 million worth of assets frozen.
This sum includes his plane. How is he supposed to fly to places now? Charter? Helicopter? Could he be reduced to flying (shudders) commercial?