Pinto: “he’s started to get decisive goals”

10 goals and 10 assists

With his five goals last week, Neymar has taken his total for the season to 10  – 6 in the league, 3 in the Champions League and 1 in the Spanish Super Cup. Neymar has also made 10 assists – a combination that has made him a reference point in Martino’s attacking line up

FC Barcelona striker  Neymar Jr has put to bed recent rumblings in the press about his lack of goals with five goals in the team’s last two games – a hat trick against Celtic and two more against Villarreal  – and his team mates were quick to get behind the Brazilian after the match on Saturday

Midfielder  Alex Song  explained: “he’s a humble kind of kid and he is increasing his importance in the group. He’s getting better all the time and the goals are naturally coming along . He’s really happy here and he, like the rest of us is so looking forward to playing together with Messi again”. Andrés Iniesta was also keen to laud the Brazilian and stress how important he was to the team, either out on the wing or playing as a false number nine: “if he gets close to the box, he can turn a game. It’s better that he plays in the area and he feels comfortable, without having to get past three or four defenders”.

Pinto: “he’s started to get decisive goals”

 Keeper  José Manuel Pinto stressed the way that the striker has been improving, particularly with his passing: “ you can’t question a player of his quality. He’s really coming on and he is now a key part of the team. He’s been making a lot of assists and now he’s also started to get decisive goals”. Martin Montoya also got behind his teammate, claiming: “he really is very good. The media have been saying he couldn’t score, but he’s answered them with the goals in his last two games and if he keeps it up he’ll be fighting for the pichichi. He’s happy here and helping us a lot  - it’s as if he’s been a part of the group for a long time”.

fcbarcelona.com

The Barcelona coach believes the Brazil striker is not the finished article yet, while team-mates Andres Iniesta and Alex Song reserved special praise for the 21-year-old

The Brazilian has been in fine form recently, netting a hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League last week and a double at Villarreal at the weekend in the absence of injured Lionel Messi.

However, the 21-year-old received his fifth booking of the league campaign for time wasting in their last match and will subsequently miss the clash against Getafe on Sunday, which Martino believes shows Neymar still has to mature.

“He has to settle in Spanish football and get to know the referees. After the first half of the season he’ll have a better view. It’s a matter of learning,” he told Marca.

With Neymar finding his goalscoring touch, Barca players also reserved special praise for the attacker.

Andres Iniesta told the official club website: “If he gets close to the box, he can turn a game. It’s better that he plays in the area and he feels comfortable, without having to get past three or four defenders”.

While Alex Song said: “He’s a humble kind of kid and he is increasing his importance in the group.

“He’s getting better all the time and the goals are naturally coming along . He’s really happy here and he, like the rest of us is so looking forward to playing together with Messi again.”

Meanwhile, Martino reiterated recent comments about Carles Puyol, insisting rumours about his captain’s retirement are false.

He added: “Puyol has been training the same way as always. Nobody’s told me he’s thinking about retiring.”

source:goal.com

Real Madrid and Barcelona to face European Union investigation

Real Madrid and Barcelona are among seven Spanish clubs to be investigated over alleged illegal state aid.

The Spanish foreign ministry announced that the European Commission will also begin proceedings against Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia and Elche.

Hercules, who play in the second tier, are also under investigation.

“The government will fight to defend Spanish clubs because they’re also part of the Spanish brand”said foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo.

The proceedings could take months to conclude and will be officially announced on Wednesday added Margallo, who denied the clubs had broken EU rules.

He said Barcelona, Real Madrid, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao are accused of contravening European Union rules because they are still owned by their members and had benefited from favourable tax treatment.

The Commission was also probing Real over their training facilities and Bilbao over aid they received for the construction of their new stadium, which opened this season, he added.

Valencia, Elche and Hercules were being investigated because of help the three clubs received from the regional government in the form of loans and bank guarantees.

Source: BBC.com

Neymar and Alves' Brazil win the 2013 Confederations Cup (3-0)

Brazil cruised to victory over Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup thanks to goals from Fred and Neymar 
The newest Barça player was named MVP of the tournament.
Eight FC Barcelona players lined up for their respective countries at the Maracaná Stadium for the final of the Confederations Cup this evening; two Brazilians - Neymar and Alves - and six for Spain -Piqué, Alba, Sergio, Xavi, Iniesta and Pedro. David Villa also got some playing time when he was subbed in for Fernando Torres in the second half. 
Neymar, thanks to his four goals and a handful of assists, was named MVP of the tournament after the match . The new FC Barcelona player led Brazil to its third consecutive Confederations Cup title (2005, 2009 and 2013). 

Neymar completes a stellar first half 

A spectacular goal from Neymar capped off the forward’s notable performance in the first half. The player fired the ball to the ceiling of the net after a good assist from Oscar to make it 2-0 just before the break. The first goal was scored after only two minutes, when Fred took advantage of a loose ball inside of Spain’s area.
Spain, on the other hand, were not comfortable on the pitch. Sergio shined as holding midfielder while Xavi and Iniesta were unable to move the ball with the necessary pace due to Brazil’s frenetic pressure. Pedro enjoyed the best chance for Spain in the first half by David Luiz did well to clear the ball off the line. 

Fred scores the third at the start of the second half 

Fred, just like in the first half, scored minutes after the starting whistle. The forward one-timed the ball to the far post of Casillas’ goal. Sergio Ramos could have pulled one back for Spain from the penalty spot but his shot went wide of Julio César’s goal. 
Del Bosque decided to bring in Navas and Villa for Mata and Torres with roughly 30 minutes left on the clock before full time. The Barça forward tested Julio César but it was Neymar who commanded the attention of the fans at Maracaná. The Brazilian, with lots of space ahead of him, was brought down by Piqué near the edge of Spain’s area. The Barça defender was shown a red card for his efforts, and as Piqué walked off the pitch Spain’s hopes of winning the only international title yet to grace its trophy cabinet quickly faded. 
The referee blew the final whistle and Brazil claimed their fourth Confederations Cup title.

fcbarcelona.com

Neymar ready for Maracana showdown

Brazilian star Neymar vowed to help fire Brazil to a third straight FIFA Confederations Cup™ title at the expense of world champions Spain to show fans they can expect fireworks when he arrives in La Liga with Barcelona.

"We will be playing for our families, our friends, but above all for the Brazilian nation," Neymar said.

"We are ready for what will be an historic match," the 21-year-old starlet said as he looked forward to a mouthwatering encounter with the Spanish on Sunday in Rio De Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

"We shall be defending our country," added Neymar, who scored in all three group games before helping to create goals for Fred and Paulinho in the semi-final success over Uruguay.

"It will be a great match. Both teams are out to create history," added Neymar, noting that whileBrazil are gearing up for an even bigger prize next year when they host the 2014 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1950, landing Spain's scalp on Sunday would send out a message that a newSelecao has landed.

Spain, who have never won the FIFA Confederations Cup, will go into action on the back of a record 29 matches unbeaten and seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in a major tournament after UEFA EURO 2008 and 2012 triumphs sandwiched between their maiden FIFA World Cup su

ccess in 2010.

Brazil meanwhile came into the tournament having let go former coach Mano Manezes for 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, despite the latter enduring some difficult spells in club football with Chelsea and Palmeiras.

Since Scolari's return, Brazil have slowly begun to shape a team based on a blend of youthful exuberance encapsulated by the likes of Neymar himself and the experience of older players such as Fred, whose three goals, following a run of five in six friendlies, have fired up the new machine.

"This will be a real final showcasing great players. It should be a great game and I just hope I come off happy and a champion with my team," said Neymar, who added he was not afraid of the close attention the Spanish defenders will undoubtedly seek to shackle him with.

"I will just go out there and do what I always do to help my team - take free kicks, spray passes around, score goals. I want to help the team."

fifa.com

Neymar shines again - Brazil - Mexico : 2 - 0

Neymar made the difference for Brazil again on Wednesday, scoring in the ninth minute and setting up Jo's injury-time goal to give the hosts a 2-0 win over Mexico and a spot in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.

The Brazilian striker scored his second goal of the tournament with a left-footed volley from just inside the penalty box after Mexican defenders failed to clear a cross, then slipped past two defenders at once to set up Jo for an easy goal in second-half injury time.

"I'm happy to have played well again," Neymar said. "But what was more important was that the team had a good performance. We are improving game after game and we are getting better. This gives us more confidence for the next matches."

Mexico, which had won two of its last three matches against Brazil, fought strongly but had little finishing power up front. The result leaves the Mexicans in a near impossible position to advance in the World Cup warm-up competition.

cbc.ca

Barcelona's Spanish players knocked out by Neymar

"The first time he touched the ball and look what he did", said Xavi Hernández when describing how he saw Neymar's goal against Japan. The nine Barcelona internationals were paying close attention to their new team-mate's performance on the Brasilia pitch - and what they saw put smiles on their faces.

His new club team-mates have it clear that Neymar is

there to put the ball in the back of the net. That will mean tremendous help for Messi, who during this past season scored 37.4% of Barcelona's total number of goals.

marca.com