Sport
“He Became a Talker” – Neymar Responds to Rodri’s Advice to Vinicius Junior
Neymar, the star forward for Al-Hilal, has responded sharply to recent remarks made by Manchester City midfielder Rodri about Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
Rodri, who clinched the 2024 Ballon d’Or last month after edging out Vinicius for the prestigious honor, offered some advice to the Brazilian winger earlier this week.
In his comments, Rodri suggested that Vinicius would benefit from focusing more on the game to improve as a player.
He remarked, “Vinicius is intelligent and will understand with time that paying more attention on the pitch will make him better.
He’s young and in a club like Madrid, which upholds strong values, he’ll receive good guidance.”
The comments were seen by some as constructive criticism but raised eyebrows among others, particularly Neymar, who jumped to defend his fellow Brazilian.
Taking to Instagram, Neymar wrote, “He [Rodri] became a talker now,” a pointed jab that suggests he felt Rodri’s advice was unnecessary or unwarranted.
Rodri’s words come during his recovery from a season-ending knee injury, which has kept him sidelined for Manchester City.
Despite his absence, the midfielder remains a central figure in football conversations following his stellar year that culminated in winning the Ballon d’Or.
Known for his composure and leadership on the field, Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory is seen as a testament to his pivotal role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, which included their first-ever Champions League triumph.
On the other hand, Vinicius Junior continues to be a key player for Real Madrid, dazzling fans with his flair and attacking prowess.
Despite narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or, the 23-year-old remains one of the brightest talents in football.
With the pressure of performing for one of the world’s most demanding clubs, Vinicius has faced his share of scrutiny but continues to thrive under the spotlight.
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has urged Victor Osimhen to avoid a move to Saudi Arabia this summer. Mikel Obi described it as a “shame” if Osimhen were to join a Middle Eastern club, believing the striker still has plenty to offer at the highest level in Europe.
Osimhen is set to return to Napoli after a successful loan spell at Galatasaray, where he netted an impressive 37 goals in 41 games. The 26-year-old is widely expected to make a permanent transfer before the start of the 2025/2026 season.
“I’m hoping he gets a chance to play in the Premier League this summer,” Mikel Obi told Metro. “I don’t want to see him heading to Saudi Arabia right now because his talent deserves to shine in Europe. “It would be a real shame to see him go there. Clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus, and PSG could be good options for him. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Ademola Lookman has opened up about how choosing to play for Nigeria over England has been a turning point in his football journey. Born in England to Nigerian parents, the 27-year-old winger once wore the English colours at youth levels, featuring for the U-19, U-20, and U-21 teams. But in 2022, he made a bold move—switching to represent Nigeria at the senior level, debuting in a tense clash against long-time rivals Ghana.
Since then, the Atalanta star has made a name for himself in the green and white jersey. He was a key figure in Nigeria’s run to the final at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three times and assisting once. His standout performances earned him the title of Africa’s best player in a ceremony held in Marrakech last December.
Reflecting on his decision in a chat with ARISE TV, Lookman said, “No doubt, choosing Nigeria changed everything for me—my career and my life. This is where I belong. I feel at home here. I’m truly a son of the soil.”
Former Spartak Moscow star Eduard Mor has shared his thoughts ahead of the upcoming international friendly between Russia and Nigeria, calling it a match to look forward to. Set to be played this Friday at 6 p.m. in Moscow, Mor believes the clash will be both exciting and filled with quality play. He praised Nigeria’s attack, describing it as one of the most dangerous on the global stage—not just in Africa.
“Nigeria are a strong side by international standards,” Mor said in a chat with Match TV. “They have players who’ve been doing well in top European clubs for years.” He pointed out that the Super Eagles’ frontline is packed with talent, saying each attacker seems to outshine the next. According to him, this balance of strength makes the team a real threat.
“Nigeria’s attackers are known around the world. They’re all strong individually, and that makes them even more dangerous as a unit. I believe this match is going to be very entertaining and full of action.” The Super Eagles go into the friendly with momentum, having recently defeated Jamaica in the Unity Cup final.
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