- Ajax midfielder said to have taken aim at Brazilian
- Insists words have been put in his mouth
- Has issued response on social media
WHAT HAPPENED? The 22-year-old, who plays his club football for Ajax, was said to have told The Guardian following a coming together with Brazil forward Neymar during an international friendly in September: “He’s not better than me. He’s just a higher profile player, that’s all. He was defending his country and I was defending mine. I wasn’t about to let him push me around. What makes him better, for now, is that he has achieved a lot. I’ll get there soon.”
WHAT THEY SAID: Kudus has branded that report “fake news”, but now inadvertently risks upsetting 30-year-old Neymar and his 38-year-old international colleague, Thiago Silva. The Ghana midfielder has posted on social media: “My Family & Culture raised me to respect the elderly. @neymarjr like @Thiago6 & many legends inspired us to dream. Just like @neymarjr I humbly want to inspire the next generation like they did. @guardian_sport what's the agenda? All focus on tomorrow. FAKE NEWS!!!!!!”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Neymar helped Brazil to a 3-0 victory over Ghana on September 23, with Marquinhos opening the scoring in that contest before Tottenham forward Richarlison bagged a brace.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
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