French football “needs” Neymar, according to the country’s federation president Noel Le Graet, who said the Brazilian star “must stay” at Paris Saint-Germain. “We need this image, he’s a fantastic footballer,” Le Graet said. “He’s on a five-year contract. He must stay. PSG shows that it can attract the big stars.”
Neymar became the world’s most expensive footballer after his transfer to PSG last August from Barcelona for a whopping fee of 222mn euros. He won the French player of the year prize despite a foot injury meaning he has not featured for the Parisian club since the end of February.
There has been constant speculation that the 26-year-old’s stay in the French capital could be a short one, with Real Madrid linked to a move for the Brazilian. PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi has insisted, however, that he was “2,000 percent” sure Neymar would play at PSG next season, something the player himself has yet to confirm.
Former England skipper Terry leaves Aston Villa
Former England captain John Terry has left Aston Villa after the club failed to gain promotion to the Premier League. Villa lost the Championship playoff final 1-0 to Fulham at Wembley on Sunday. The 37-year-old Terry joined Villa from Chelsea in July 2017 on a one-year deal. He made 36 appearances for Villa in all competitions last season, scoring one goal.
Wagner signs new deal with Huddersfield
Huddersfield manager David Wagner has been given a new three-year contract as a reward for keeping his club in the Premier League. Wagner had 12 months left on his previous deal, but Huddersfield have moved to secure his future amid reported interest in the German from several European teams.
Wagner, 46, has become one of the most highly-respected coaches in England since arriving as an unknown in November 2015. The former Borussia Dortmund reserve-team coach steered Huddersfield away from relegation trouble before enjoying a remarkable first full season in charge. Huddersfield weren’t intimidated by the English elite, beating Manchester United 2-1 and drawing with champions Manchester City and Chelsea to earn a 16th place finish.
Bolt trains at Norwegian club
Multiple Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt is training with Norwegian top-flight side Stromsgodset as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional footballer, newspaper Verdens Gang reported.
The 31-year-old Jamaican, who retired from athletics after winning eight Olympic gold medals, is a football fanatic and trained with the club in Drammen, some 40km south-west of Oslo, yesterday. He also hopes to play some part in a friendly against the club’s Under-19 side. “I want to try to get better, to work as hard as I can, play as much as I can. Maybe a club will see something and decide to give me a chance,” said Bolt, who hung up his spikes after last year’s world championships in London. Bolt also trained with Borussia Dortmund in March.
Brazil’s Neymar (right) celebrates with teammate Willian during a training session in London yesterday. (AFP)