Neymar: What I want most is to play with Messi again

Neymar caused a stir after inspiring Paris Saint-Germain to victory over Manchester United when he said he wants to link up with Lionel Messi in 2021.

The Brazil star scored twice to help PSG to a 3-1 win at Old Trafford, a result that puts them in a strong position to reach the Champions League knockout stages.

Neymar joined the Ligue 1 champions from Barca for a world-record €222million fee in 2017, partly, it has been suggested, to escape the shadow of Messi at Barcelona.

The Catalans won the treble in 2014-15 with an attacking trident of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez, but it has been claimed the former Santos man left Camp Nou so he could have a better chance of winning the Ballon d Or.

Neymar has since repeatedly been tipped to return to Spain but …

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Betis: Llorente and Suarez strike to seal new club record

Marcos Llorente and Luis Suarez earned Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win over 10-man Real Betis at Wanda Metropolitano as Diego Simeone s men made it a club-record 21 LaLiga games without defeat.

Atleti lost 4-0 to Bayern Munich on Wednesday  their joint-heaviest defeat under Simeone but were back to their solid defensive selves in Saturday s clash, which was won with two second-half goals.

After a balanced opening 45 minutes in the Spanish capital it took just 19 seconds for Llorente to open the scoring in the second half with a smart finish from a tight angle.

Suarez added a late second to seal a victory that lifts Atletico up to third, two points off leaders Real Madrid with a game in hand to play, after Betis had been reduced to 10 men for Martin Montoya s red card …

Baroness Sue Campbell sees ‘progress’ in bid to make women’s game more diverse

Baroness Sue Campbell says diversity in English women’s football is an area in which she hopes “we’re building”.

England’s squad for their victorious Euros campaign in 2022 featuring only three players of black or mixed heritage – a figure that dropped to two for the 2023 World Cup – was something highlighted in former Lioness Karen Carney’s women’s football review published last summer.

Describing it as a “glaring reflection” of a wider issue, Carney’s review said the Football Association “should urgently address the lack of diversity across the women’s game – in both on and off pitch roles.”

Campbell, who is this year set to retire from her role as the FA’s director of women’s football, has referenced the boost there has been…

AC Milan face ‘steep climb’ to rescue season – under-fire boss Stefano Pioli

Stefano Pioli knows AC Milan face a “steep climb” to rescue their season as reports the Rossoneri boss could soon be replaced continue to gather steam.

Milan have won their last five Serie A games and next face relegation-threatened Sassuolo on Sunday but Thursday’s 1-0 home defeat by Italian rivals Roma in the Europa League quarter-finals did nothing to help dispel talk of Pioli’s potentially-imminent departure.

Reports suggest former Real Madrid and Wolves head coach Julen Lopetegui is being lined up to succeed Pioli, whose contract at San Siro does not expire until June 2025.

Post-match reaction from Stefano Pioli

— AC Milan (@acmilan)

It has been claimed the Parma-born manager has the next three games to save his job: at Sassuol…

Hansi Flick sacked as Germany manager following heavy Japan defeat

Hansi Flick has been sacked as manager of Germany in the wake of Saturday’s 4-1 home friendly defeat to Japan.

It comes after the former Bayern Munich coach won just 12 of his 25 matches in charge of the national team following his appointment in August 2021.

Germany will host the European Championship next summer but form had grown increasingly erratic under Flick, with a second successive group-stage exit at the World Cup last year part of a run that has seen just three victories in the last 12 months.

A night to forget in Wolfsburg : Philipp Reinhard

— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN)

The 58-year-old, who replaced World Cup-winner Joachim Low when he stood down following Euro 2020, becomes the first person to be sacked as Germany manager.

June 11th: Sunday’s MLS Accumulator – 8/1

With the MLS making its return this weekend, it will be America’s elite that steals most of the attention. So, for those of you looking to place a Sunday accumulator, we have found a trio of helpful MLS tips that can offer a great return for your flutter.

Sunday June 11th
BST 00:30 Orlando City vs Colorado Rapids

Making an immediate return to winning ways last week thanks to a rampant display on the road, Orlando have continued to impress many across the MLS since opening the 2023 campaign. Eventually breezing their way to a stellar 3-0 victory away at New York Red Bulls, the Lions are now unbeaten in each of their last five domestic appearances a run that stems back to May 9th. With their recent flurry highlighted by a 3-1 romp away at Inter Miami last month, Osca…

Northern Ireland revelling in Michael O’Neill return – Bailey Peacock-Farrell

The return of Michael O’Neill as manager has convinced Northern Ireland’s players they can qualify for Euro 2024, according to Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The man who guided Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 came back to the job in December, instantly fuelling belief amongst fans that they could capitalise on a relatively favourable qualifying draw after the frustration of narrowly missing out on the last tournament under Ian Baraclough.

Some of that confidence was dented by a home defeat to Finland in March, but Peacock-Farrell insists belief remains at “100 per cent” going into Friday’s match away to Denmark.

Denmark incoming

— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland)

Asked if O’Neill’s experience was key to that, he answered with a clea…

Manchester United eye Marc Bernal

Manchester United are interested in signing Marc Bernal from Barcelona, according to . The report has claimed that Premier League giants United are willing to trigger the release clause of Bernal and bring him to Old Trafford.

Bernal is rated as one of the best young players at Barcelona and is a star for the future. The 17-year-old defensive midfielder has come through Barcelona’s youth academy and has established himself as part of the first-team squad. The Spain Under-17 international has made three appearances in La Liga for Barcelona this season.

United are 11th in the Premier League table at the moment with seven points from five matches, four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal. As for Barcelona, the Blaugrana currently find themselves at the top of the La Liga…

Manchester United agree sale of Fred to Fenerbahce

Fred is set to leave Manchester United after a deal worth up to 15million euros was struck with Fenerbahce.

The 30-year-old midfielder moved to Old Trafford from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 and has made 213 appearances for the club.

Fred is now heading to Turkey to join Fenerbahce, who have agreed a deal in principle the PA news agency understands is worth an initial 10million euros (£8.6m), rising to a possible 15m euros (£12.9m).

The Brazil international, whose United contract was due to expire next summer, is flying out to Istanbul for a medical on Saturday.

A deal has been agreed in principle for the transfer of to Fenerbahce.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

A club statement read: “Manchester United can confirm an agreement in prin…

In-form Rashford ´can be anything he wants to be´, says Martinez

Lisandro Martinez believes Marcus Rashford can be anything he wants to be after the forward extended his superb run of form with a sparkling FA Cup display against Everton.

Rashford headed into Friday s tie at Old Trafford having scored in four straight matches, and he played a part in all three of Manchester United s goals as they booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over the Toffees.

His cross set up Antony to open the scoring just four minutes in, before more dazzling Rashford work on the wing forced Conor Coady into an own-goal to put United 2-1 up.

Rashford then capped his excellent performance by slotting home from the penalty spot after Alejandro Garnacho was brought down by Ben Godfrey, becoming the first United player to score in sev…