For Brazil’s football icon Ronaldo, the five-time world champion is the top favorite at the World Cup finals in Qatar and also gives a good reason: Neymar! “If he’s 100 percent fit and focused, we have a great chance,” said the 1994 and 2002 world champion at an investor event in Sao Paulo.
But the club boss of Spain’s first division promoted Real Valladolid and the local second division club EC Cruzeiro immediately sent an urgent warning to the world-class striker from Paris St. Germain. “Hopefully he’ll hold back off the field,” said the 45-year-old, expressing his fear that his compatriot, who always oscillates between superstar and scandalous noodle, could disrupt Brazil’s path to their sixth World Cup triumph.
At the finals four years ago, Neymar drew worldwide displeasure with his theatrical roles after fouls on him. A few days before the Copa America 2019, he also made the headlines after an alleged rape in a Paris hotel. And his now five years at PSG are full of numerous escapades on and off the pitch.
“We have a great Selecao, great players,” confirmed Ronaldo, but reiterated: “Neymar makes the difference. With him, our chances of winning the Hexa title increase.” And the way there begins for the Brazilians in preliminary round group G against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
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