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Brazilian striker Neymar (R) gives the t

'Technically better than CR7 & Messi' - Neymar gets World Cup backing from Cafu

Brazil icon Cafu has sensationally claimed that Neymar is technically superior to both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as he backed the forward to lead the Selecao at the upcoming World Cup. The legendary right-back, who remains the only man to play in three consecutive World Cup finals, believes a fit Neymar remains the ultimate difference-maker for the Brazil national team.

Neymar - Robinho Jr

Neymar allegedly involved in altercation with Robinho Jr in Santos training

Neymar was allegedly involved in a heated physical altercation with Robinho Jr during Santos training. There was "pushing and shoving" between the pair, and it has been reported that Neymar tripped the youngster in the Sunday session. Although the situation escalated, reports suggest the two players have since resolved their differences ahead of upcoming matches.

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San Lorenzo v Santos - Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026

Explained: ‘Absurd’ reason why Neymar missed Santos’ derby date

Neymar has once again sidelined himself for a major fixture due to his long-standing and vocal opposition to artificial playing surfaces. The Brazilian icon sat out Santos’ high-profile derby against Palmeiras to avoid the synthetic pitch at the Allianz Parque, a decision that comes at a critical time as he fights to prove his fitness to Carlo Ancelotti.

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'Most talented player' - Antony hails 'extraordinary' Neymar

Antony has expressed his immense admiration for Neymar, describing the Santos forward as the most gifted individual he has ever witnessed on a football pitch. Now enjoying a career resurgence with Real Betis, the former Manchester United winger is hopeful that both he and his "extraordinary" compatriot can secure their places in Brazil's squad for the upcoming World Cup.

San Lorenzo v Santos - Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026

Ex-Brazil star claims Neymar would be 'headless chicken' in PSG-Bayern thriller

Neymar has been told he no longer possesses the intensity required to compete at the highest level of world football following his latest display for Santos. Former Brazil international Walter Casagrande has suggested that Neymar "doesn't deserve" a World Cup spot while claiming the forward would be an anonymous figure in a game at the level of Paris Saint-Germain's 5-4 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

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Lingard backs Bruno for Ballon d'Or after 'extraordinary' season

Jesse Lingard has expressed his belief that ex-Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes should be in the running for the 2026 Ballon d'Or after an "extraordinary" season. The Englishman, who is now playing for Corinthians in Brazil, has also delivered his honest verdict on Michael Carrick's tenure as interim manager at Old Trafford, with a final decision on the permanent role now looming.

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Neymar misses Santos training due to viral infection

Neymar’s hopes of securing a place in the Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup have hit another hurdle following his absence from Santos training on Sunday. The forward was a notable absentee at the CT Rei Pele as the squad prepares for continental action, having been laid low with a viral infection.

Vinicius Junior Neymar Brazil 2022 World Cup

Explained: Why Neymar left out of 980-sticker World Cup album

Neymar has been the face of Brazilian football for over a decade, but the mercurial forward has suffered a major blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old has been officially omitted from the iconic Panini sticker album, marking the first time in four editions that he will not be featured among the world's elite players.

Santos v Fluminense - Brasileirao 2026

Ex-Brazil star insists Neymar 'not at level he needs to be' for World Cup

Brazil's 1994 World Cup winner Rai has cast doubt over Neymar's suitability for the 2026 tournament, claiming the Santos forward is no longer at the physical level required for the international stage despite his undeniable technical brilliance. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is still struggling to build up his fitness with Santos ahead of his country's bid for glory in North America this summer.

Santos v Fluminense - Brasileirao 2026

Santos boss rules 'below par' Neymar out of next game

Santos head coach Cuca has jumped to the defence of Neymar following a frustrating display in the Copa do Brasil, albeit while admitting the superstar forward was "a bit below par" during their 0-0 stalemate against Cortiba. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man’s performance compounded another difficult evening for the Brazilian side, who have managed just one win in their last six outings, and Cuca has confirmed he won't play in their next fixture.

Lingard

📽️ | Lingard makes history with first Corinthians goal

Jesse Lingard has officially opened his account in South America, netting a historic first goal for Corinthians to secure a vital 1-0 victory over Barra. The former Manchester United star proved to be the difference maker in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil fifth-round clash and busted out a trademark dance to celebrate.

Lamine Yamal Neymar

Neymar backs Yamal for Champions League & Ballon d’Or double

Barcelona’s Champions League campaign may have ended in heartbreak against Atletico Madrid, but the performance of Lamine Yamal left a lasting impression on one of the club's former greats, Neymar. Despite the disappointment of exiting the competition at the quarter-final stage, Yamal’s emergence as a genuine leader at the age of just 18 has convinced many that he is the heir to the throne at Camp Nou.

Santos v Recoleta FC - Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026

Neymar responds to MLS transfer rumours

Santos superstar Neymar has addressed growing speculation regarding a potential move to Major League Soccer following a night of high tension at the Vila Belmiro. The Brazilian icon saw his side booed off the pitch after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Paraguayan outfit Deportivo Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana.

Jorginho Chappel Roan

Ex-Arsenal star Jorginho withdraws Chappell Roan criticism

Jorginho has withdrawn his criticism of pop star Chappell Roan following a hotel security incident involving his daughter. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder clarified that the guard involved was not part of the singer’s team. He has since called the situation a "misunderstanding" and urged an end to online hostility.

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Hulk offers blunt verdict on Neymar's World Cup hopes

Brazil veteran Hulk has delivered a surprisingly neutral assessment regarding Neymar’s potential inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. As the legendary forward battles to regain full match fitness following a lengthy injury absence, the lack of an explicit endorsement from his former international team-mate has intensified the selection debate.

Corinthians v Santos - Campeonato Paulista 2025

Ancelotti sets World Cup condition for Neymar

The debate surrounding Neymar’s place in the Brazilian national team has intensified as the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico draws closer. Neymar has been handed a significant lifeline regarding his international future as Carlo Ancelotti opened the door for a potential World Cup return. Despite missing out on recent call-ups, the forward remains firmly in the thoughts of the Selecao coaching staff ahead of the tournament.

Frequently asked questions

Egypt are the team who have won the most AFCON titles in history, with seven to their name. It was in 1957, the inaugural edition of AFCON, where Egypt attained glory. They would go on to add three more trophies before the turn of the century (1957, 1986, 1998), before completing a threepeat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

The first-ever AFCON featured just three teams. Between 1968 and 1990, eight teams featured in the tournament. An expansion in 1992 saw 12 teams feature in AFCON, and 16 from 1998. The latest expansion in 2019, though, sees 24 teams fight for glory.

Cameroon legend Rigobert Song set the record of most AFCON appearances in 2010, playing in his 36th game in the tournament. That record was equalled by Ghanaian icon Andre Ayew in 2024.

Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o leads the all-time goalscoring charts with an impressive 18 goals over the course of 29 matches during six different tournaments.

Egypt's Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to play in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 21 days. He achieved this feat in 2017 during Egypt's 2-1 loss to Cameroon.

Former Ghana defender Joseph Odoi made his AFCON debut in 1984 at the age of 15 years and 164 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the African Cup of Nations.

Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Roger Milla, Ahmed Hassan, George Weah, etc, are some of the biggest names to have featured in the African Cup of Nations.

Charles Gyamfi, Hassan Shehata, Herve Renard, and Avram Grant are some of the most famous coaches to have led their respective teams at AFCON.