Neymar confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Neymar said that the 2026 World Cup will be his last adding he was confident that Brazil would qualify for the finals in North America.

“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” the 32-year-old attacker, who has not played for Brazil in more than a year, told CNN.

He also told the American news network in the interview published on Tuesday that he would not rule out reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at U.S. club Inter Miami.

EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

Tottenham Hotspur claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against EFL Cup holders Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final clash, securing just their second clean sheet in 12 matches and gaining a crucial edge in the tie.

New signing Antonin Kinský made his debut in goal, the second Spurs goalkeeper to do so in consecutive matches, as manager Ange Postecoglou continued to navigate an injury-hit squad.

Despite these challenges, Tottenham started brightly against the Premier League leaders. However, their momentum was disrupted when Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had a rare chance midway through the half, dragging a shot wide, as both sides struggled to find rhythm in a first half punctuated by injuries, including one to Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah. The teams went into the break at 0-0, leaving much to play for in the second half.

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Postecoglou, who has yet to see a goalless draw since taking charge in July 2023, nearly witnessed a breakthrough early in the second half. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s hesitation under pressure from Lucas Bergvall led to Pedro Porro attempting an audacious chip, which narrowly missed.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot responded with a triple substitution, introducing Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The latter came close to scoring, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Spurs defender Radu Drăgușin.

The game seemed destined for a stalemate until the final moments when Tottenham found a decisive moment. Dominic Solanke chased a long ball before setting up Bergvall, who slotted home his first goal for Spurs, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The late strike ended Liverpool’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the competition and handed Tottenham a slender advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.

With the second leg looming, Spurs are now just one game away from ending their 17-year trophy drought, dating back to their 2007/08 League Cup triumph.

Meanwhile, Liverpool face a daunting task to overturn the deficit, having suffered their first away defeat since April.

EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

Ancelotti defends Vinicius ahead of Super Cup

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr is available to play in the Spanish Super Cup, despite his recent two-match suspension, and on Wednesday manager Carlo Ancelotti continued to defend his player despite the club losing their appeal.

Vinicius was sent off for slapping Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in Friday’s LaLiga match, and after an appeal, the Spanish FA suspended the striker for two league games, clearing him for Thursday’s Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca.

Ancelotti had been confident of winning the appeal, believing it to be a yellow card offence, and also said that Vinicius is under enormous mental stress due to previous incidents of racist abuse directed at him in Spain.

The manager still believes the suspension decision was wrong.

“We are delighted with Vinicius in every aspect,” Ancelotti told a press conference ahead of Thursday’s game in Jeddah.

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“Both he and I hear what happens on the pitch. I keep saying that it is difficult to be Vinicius. The sanction is not correct.

“When you talk about Vinicius’ provocation, you deflect the shot from the insults he receives.”

Real have already played Mallorca this season, when they were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the campaign, and Ancelotti is happy that their Super Cup tie will go to penalties without extra time should they end level again.

“We know the opponent very well and they know us. It’s going to be very competitive, they cost us a lot in LaLiga. They have good characteristics and can fight for the game,” Ancelotti said.

“You think you will play a good game and win it. If you don’t win, there’s the penalty shootout.

“It changes a lot. It avoids extra time, which can be more complicated to manage.”

The winners will face either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao, who play in Wednesday’s semi-final, in the final on Sunday.

Ancelotti defends Vinicius ahead of Super Cup