Brazilian president praises Neymar’s nude pop as ‘real icon’ Lionel Messi – The Irish Times

You might think it wouldn’t be easy for a football-loving Brazilian to tip his hat to Lionel Messi after winning his eighth Ballon d’Or last week, but President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva paid tribute to the Argentinian with great generosity.

“A 36-year-old player, playing in the American League, won the world championship last year, and he won the Ballon d’Or again this year. Messi sets an example for Brazilian players, because winning the Ballon d’Or is a matter for professional players, not Combined with partying in the evening. If you don’t set an example, you’re not of much use. How many years since Brazil have you had a real idol like him?”

It would be a mistake to think this was a thinly veiled dig at Neymar – there was nothing thinly veiled about it, the dig was as subtle as a haymaker. But, of course, there is no love lost between the president and the player after the latter endorsed Jair Bolsonaro ahead of last October’s election, with Lula suggesting he only did so because Bolsonaro promised to write him off tax debt.

Has the Bolsonaro camp accepted the Neymar/Messi barb? (“Brazil is full of couch potato pundits who know nothing about football,” Bolsonaro’s son Flavio wrote on Twitter. “People talk about being role models for this country, but they’re not even drunk Han’s example.”). No.

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word of mouth

“Messi is not even PSG’s best player. It’s disgraceful. “I’m hallucinating. ” – Jerome Roten, another veteran PSG player, wasn’t too impressed with the Ballon d’Or voting.

“Are you Sunderland in disguise?” – Newcastle fans chanted the ultimate insult against Manchester United during last week’s Carabao Cup victory.

“I meditated two or three times with (Erling) Haaland when we played in Salzburg… It didn’t help me, I don’t believe in it like I used to. He does a lot that people may not know about thing – I’ve been to his apartment. “This guy’s a little sick. ” – Dominic Szoboszlai, Liverpool We’re not sure if this means “sick” in a good way.

Wrexham’s Super Soldiers

Of course, this time of year is James McLean’s Groundhog Day, and there’s almost endless talk about him not wearing a poppy. But on the pitch, things are going well and Wrexham, who I joined in August, are third in League Two and on Saturday they beat Mansfield 2-1 away in the first round of the FA Cup.

He had a few clashes with several Mansfield fans at the end of the game in response to the abuse hurled at him, but at least he was serenaded by his own supporters from the sidelines. To the tune of Abba’s Voulez-Vous: “James McLean (ah ha), running down the wing (ah ha), making Wrexham sing (ah ha), he hates the bloody king.” Gurgling.

in words

“The money he spends! Some players are worth £70-80 million! “I won’t let them go to Huddersfield with me. ” – Neil Warnock Congratulations to Erik Ten Hag players for purchasing.

From a numerical perspective

2 — That’s how many players besides Messi and Haaland received first-place votes for this year’s Ballon d’Or — Kylian Mbappe (five) and Bernardo Silva (one Name…from, uh, Portugal).

More word of mouth

“The aim is to give the players some time so they can use it as a training session.” -Eddie Howe on his use of substitutions during Carabao Cup training at Old Trafford.

“The way I am, that’s impossible. Once they’re exes, they’re exes, man.” – Ange Postecoglou, when asked if she would marry a Celtic again.

“In my humble opinion, the Brazilian national team has been excellent under Diniz’s control. F*** Ancelotti. “I hope Diniz lasts until the end. ” – How enthusiastic is Romario about Carlo Ancelotti replacing Brazil caretaker boss Fernando Diniz? Not special.

“If I had known it was going to be like this, I probably would have gone to Aldi and bought a bottle of champagne.” – Cork City’s Richie Holland regrets splurging on two bottles of Moët & Chandon for Stephen Bradley after Shamrock Rovers boss criticized him There was no guard of honor for the championship team at Turner’s Crossing.