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Santos boss Juan Pablo Vojvoda delivered an honest update on Neymar's latest injury setback after the forward's withdrawal from the Brazilian Serie A clash with Internacional. Neymar had just returned from a hamstring injury and was slowly settling into playing again for Santos, but a fresh knock forced him back onto the sidelines.

Neymar's fitness issues continue

Neymar was optimistic about making a fresh start and reviving his career when he joined his boyhood club Santos in January 2025. He had just recovered from an ACL injury that kept him out of action for nearly one and a half years, which prompted Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal to mutually terminate the star winger's contract.

 His comeback, however, has not gone as planned. A return of seven goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions does not make for great reading, and the 33-year-old has repeatedly been out injured during his second spell at Santos. His constant injury setbacks have also delayed his comeback to the Brazil national team and with only one international break left in March before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, he is facing a race against time to prove himself to Carlo Ancelotti.

After recovering from a recent hamstring injury, Neymar had featured in Santos' starting lineup in their last three Serie A matches but right before the Internacional clash on Monday, reported that he had been dealing with knee discomfort throughout the week. 

AdvertisementGettySantos boss delivers update on Neymar

After a 1-1 draw against Internacional, Santos boss Vojvoda told reporters: "The plan is for him to be in the match against Sport. I have to talk to him, I'm not in his physical presence and I will respect Neymar's decisions. But his commitment is to be there, he always wants to be there. Before the Mirassol game, he felt discomfort in his knee. He also felt it during the game. The following day he was experiencing significant discomfort in that knee. 

"We know we have games every three days. With travel, we'll arrive in Santos tomorrow afternoon… He's a player we need for all three rounds and he'll help us. He's our leader on the field. He'll be there. He felt he wouldn't be able to meet the demands of today's game."

Will Santos offer new contract to Neymar?

Neymar's current contract expires at the end of this year and he has yet to meet with Santos officials to negotiate a new contract. There is a possibility that the winger could consider returning to Europe, although club president Marcelo Teixeira appears confident a deal can be struck. He said earlier this month, "Neymar's project is the 2026 World Cup. If there's consensus, he will extend. There is great trust between him and the club, and I believe we'll find a solution at the right moment."

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AFPCan Neymar play at the 2026 World Cup?

At the moment, Neymar's participation at the World Cup seems like a distant dream, considering he has played in only four matches since September. However, Selecao boss Ancelotti still remains hopeful that he will be able to include the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star in the North America-bound squad next year. 

The Italian recently said: "Neymar is on the list of players who can go to the World Cup. He has six months to make the final list. Neymar has recovered, but he needs to show performance. When the Brazilian league ends, he’ll have some vacation time, and then he must show his quality and physical condition again." 

The former Real Madrid boss also offered some words of advice for the Brazilian great, as he added. "The truth is that soccer today asks for many things, not just talent. Also, physical condition, intensity. Hopefully, Neymar can be at his best level. He needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers in today’s soccer are players you need to help also defensively. When you play a little bit more inside the defensive work is much less than if you play as a winger."

The investigation into Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali, who was arrested on suspicion of rape by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in the UK last month, has been closed, with all charges against the player dropped. Haider, who had been released on bail following his arrest, is now free to leave the UK.”We always take allegations of this nature very seriously and will assess each incident thoroughly,” the GMP told ESPNcricinfo. “Following a comprehensive review of all available evidence, the investigation has been closed at this time. Should any further information come to light, we would review the material and case again appropriately.”Related

• Haider Ali under criminal investigation in the UK, suspended by the PCB

• Haider Ali arrested and granted bail after report of alleged rape

Haider, 24, was part of a tour by the Shaheens – effectively a Pakistan A side – to the UK, playing matches against a select XI in Beckenham and Hove. During a game on August 3, GMP officers arrived at the ground in Beckenham, where Haider was arrested during the game. According to a GMP statement at the time, the alleged offence leading to the arrest had occurred in Manchester on July 23, the day after the Shaheens’ first tour game, which Haider played. Haider was bailed at the time and the alleged victim was being “supported by officers”.The PCB confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that charges against Haider had been dropped. At the time of his arrest, the PCB had put out a statement saying it “reserve[d] the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct, if necessary”.ESPNcricinfo understands a decision on whether to take action against Haider has not been made yet, with the PCB waiting on the player to return to Pakistan before it takes a decision.Haider has played two ODIs and 35 T20Is for Pakistan. Initially feted as a destructive hitter, he burnished his reputation with standout performances in the PSL with Peshawar Zalmi in 2020, when he scored 239 runs at a strike rate of 157.23. He was called up to the national side later that year, his international debut coming in a T20I game in Manchester, where he scored a 33-ball 54 as Pakistan won by five runs.Inconsistency has dogged him since, and he has repeatedly found himself in and out of the Pakistan side. However, his talent and explosiveness have kept him in international contention, and the current Shaheens tour was widely viewed as an opportunity to reintegrate a player whose batting approach aligns with the aggressive style Pakistan’s current T20 set-up has made no secret it wants to pursue.

Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki combined to devastating effect as Manchester City comfortably beat Bournemouth 3-1 and provided the perfect response to last week's defeat at Aston Villa. The French playmaker started at No. 10 after impressing against Swansea City in midweek and proved to be the perfect foil to City's insatiable striker, who he provided with two goals.

City got an early scare when Eli Junior Kroupi finished off a lightning-quick breakaway move in the opening minute but he was offside. Their game plan was above all about getting the ball to Haaland in dangerous situations and it paid off in the 17th minute, when Cherki's cushioned header went behind Bournemouth's high defensive line and to Haaland, who sprinted clear from behind the halfway-line to slot past Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth levelled thanks to some suspect goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who tried to punch away a corner but instead swatted it into the air for Tyler Adams to volley home from close range. The Italian's protests that he had been fouled fell on deaf ears. City appealed for a penalty when a cross hit the body and then the arm of Alex Jimenez and it did not take long for fans to turn on referee Anthony Taylor. But they did not need any help when they regained the lead.

Cherki crafted a delicious first-time pass which split Bournemouth's defence and released Haaland, who powered his way into the area and rounded Petrovic to score his 13th league goal of the season in 10 games. The Norwegian could have had a hat-trick before the break when he was released by Jeremy Doku but this time Petrovic got the better of him and punched his chipped attempt away.

Bournemouth had three decent attempts to level after the break as Donnarumma denied Brooks and Kroupi, who also fired just wide. City made them pay down the other end with another slick move. Cherki and Foden combined to set Nico O'Reilly on his way and the academy product curled a low strike into the bottom corner, effectively ending the game on the hour-mark.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

  His lousy punch was a stark reminder of his occasional weakness dealing with crosses and he didn't help himself by getting booked for his protests. To his credit he bounced back with important saves to deny Kroupi and Brooks.

  Matheus Nunes (6/10):

  Coped very well with the threat of Antoine Semenyo throughout. Made an important tackle on Brooks after the Ghana winger had surged forward. Didn't do too much damage going forward.

  Ruben Dias (6/10):

  Given a couple of scares by Kroupi but largely kept the visitors at bay with some astute defending.

  Josko Gvardiol (6/10):

  Had an early warning when Brooks raced past him in the move leading to the offside goal. Steadied himself and combined well with Dias to snuff out any future threats, including making a crowd-pleasing tackle on Semenyo.

  Nico O'Reilly (8/10):

  A powerful display in every sense. Played on the front foot and could have scored in the first half. Made amends with his brilliantly-taken strike.

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• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  Took a back seat and rarely got forward but still played an important role in the victory with clever use of the ball.

  Nico Gonzalez (7/10):

  The best compliment you can pay him is that City are barely noticing the absence of Rodri. Put himself about to ensure City won the midfield battle and combined well with Cherki.

  Phil Foden (7/10):

  Was overshadowed by Cherki somewhat but still played his part in opening up the visitors, particularly with his pass to set up O'Reilly.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Rayan Cherki (9/10):

  Weaved his magic throughout and no one benefitted more than Haaland. His headed assist was unexpected but exactly what City needed to open up their opponents while his first-time pass to the Norwegian was a work of art. Wasn't far from crowning his excellent display with a goal, being denied by Petrovic from a free-kick and blasting over in the second half.

  Erling Haaland (9/10):

  Simply inevitable. Had a telepathic understanding with Cherki and put the fear of God into Bournemouth's defenders whenever he latched on to a through ball. Produced two confident finishes and was mighty close to his first hat-trick of the season.

  Jeremy Doku (6/10):

  A hit-and-miss display. Lost the ball leading to Bournemouth's offside goal but probed well in attack, laying the ball on for Haaland on the one occasion the Norwegian failed to beat Petrovic.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Savinho (5/10):

  Didn't capitalise on Bournemouth effectively throwing in the towel, misplacing a key pass which could have unlocked a fourth goal.

  Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

  Tried to do damage on the break after replacing Cherki.

  Omar Marmoush (N/A):

  Replaced Haaland in the 82nd minute.

  Rayan Ait-Nouri (N/A):

  Came on in the 90th minute.

  Rodri (N/A):

  Came on in the 90th minute.

  Pep Guardiola (8/10):

  Playing Foden and Cherki together raised eyebrows against such a quick Bournemouth side but it worked a treat.

A pair of October friendlies showed that Pochettino's side have a reliable system – and World Cup success could follow

Perhaps the most encouraging part is what happened after Christian Pulisic limped off the Dick's Sporting Goods Park field with a hamstring injury. That really should have been game over. The U.S. men's national team is supposed to lean on its star man, improve every time he touches the ball, and see their chances of winning improve exponentially when he makes things happen.

In short, they can't win without him. 

So much for that narrative. Pulisic was removed from last Tuesday's match against Australia in the 31st minute. The U.S. scored in the 33rd. They did so again in the 52nd. Without their main man, Mauricio Pochettino's side quite comfortably saw off an opponent set up to make their life a nightmare.

It is such a soccer cliche to suggest that "these are the kinds of games that they used to lose." But there is a thin veil of truth to that. The U.S. were supposed to lose in that scenario. But they didn't.

Of course, the USMNT are always better with Pulisic. But without him, they turned in the kind of performance that offered that most valuable of commodities in soccer: hope. Part of this is down to the intangibles – vibes, motivation, the apparently crucial "fighting spirit."

But it's also tactical, a change in formation and crucial flexibility around it that might just turn that hope into something even more tangible: winning.  

Getty ImagesA pair of good results

It's been a strange year for the USMNT. No one, it seemed, was quite sure what the goals were. Did Pochettino need results? Did he need to establish a culture? Did he have time to do both, with a World Cup on the horizon? Yes, and no. There were tactical ideas, new players brought in, speeches about how he was "not a mannequin."

But there weren't really any convincing scorelines. The U.S. got as far as they should have in the Gold Cup – falling to Mexico in the final – lost the games they should have lost, and won the games they were expected to win. Pochettino is 11-7-2 in 20 matches in charge.

In hiring the former Chelsea and PSG manager, US Soccer intended to bring in a "serial winner." What they got instead was a culture guy who didn't seem to know exactly what culture he wanted.

In that light, then, back-to-back good results is impressive. A 1-1 home draw with Ecuador doesn't make for excellent reading. But the South American side hadn't lost in 11, and had been the surprise of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. This was not a win, but there were positives to be taken.

Australia was better. The USMNT went down a goal, rallied, scored two, should have bagged a couple more, and went home with the most comfortable of 2-1 wins – against a side that had beaten Jesse Marsch's Canada just a few days before.

The dust has settled, and it now seems a pretty impressive October window.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA shift in formation

It is worth asking, then, how this all happened. If the U.S. were so poor for so long, so averse to getting results, how is it that things are now revolutionary? Why has the optimism returned? Strip away the glaring fact that soccer has a short-term memory, and it really comes down to one big tactical change: a switch in formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-3. 

This isn't necessarily revolutionary. Pochettino isn't the first manager to play three at the back. He certainly won't be the last. But in context, it is pivotal. When Pochettino arrived, there were a two fundamental assumptions about playing style. The first was that he was a 4-2-3-1 truther. The second was that he believed, unwaveringly, in a high press.

He soon learned, it seemed, that the latter can be translated into defensive weakness. This is not club soccer, where you have days on end on the grass, and plenty of film to watch in the days in between. These are complex systems that have to be learned over time. And Pochettino didn't have any of it to work with. 

What he has done, then, is what most international managers do, and revert into the system that fits his squad the best. This seems obvious. Pochettino has a bunch of good players. This is the setup that, in theory, gets the best out of them. Simple? Yes, but not always so easy to pull off.

Getty ImagesAn act of compromise

Actually implementing such a change requires a remarkable act of compromise for a manager who likes control. Pochettino's brilliance is partially in his man management, but mostly due to his tactical nous. He has been so good for so long because his basic principles have been readily applied, tweaked, and reinvented for the relevant squad.

This is a guy who took a fundamentally flawed Tottenham, won 86 points in the Premier League, and carried them to a Champions League final. These things don't happen by accident. Relinquishing what he knows, then, is a difficult thing. He deserves plenty of praise for realizing that he had to change.

And he good news is that this still has the look of a Pochettino side. The USMNT don't press high. They don't scramble for the ball. But they still are fiercely vertical when they have it. They take risks in attack, allow for positional fluidity, and admit, by result, that their defensive structure might be a bit suspect when they lose the ball – it's how they conceded the first goal to Ecuador.

And that led to some results.

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Getty ImagesAttacking quality

It starts up front. Pochettino's best attacking trait is that he is willing to allow players to express themselves in the final-third. Yes, this is the bit where we have to talk about Pep Guardiola. So much of modern soccer ignores that. Guardiola's idea of "juega de posicion" limits players to specific zones or areas – and prevents them from moving outside of them.

The logic is that if you position a load of good players in specific areas, and allow them to be their best – within that very space – you can piece together a reliable attacking system. That makes sense, and every club practices some version of it.

Pochettino doesn't reject it outright, but his version of the U.S. is far more fluid. Max Arfsten, oddly, is the perfect example. The left wing back is encouraged to attack. But there is not necessarily a consistency in his movements. Sometimes, he overlaps. Sometimes, he cuts inside. Against Australia, he popped up in the middle. These things are not conventional. Some coaches might hate them. But for Pochettino, it's ideal. 

It also helps that, outside of Pulisic, the U.S. has a number of quality No. 10s who can recognize the movements of players around them. Malik Tillman played that role admirably against Ecuador, assisted on Folarin Balogun's goal and created six chances. Diego Luna, in a brief cameo, showed much of the same. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to back Ruben Amorim in the January transfer window, with an “amazing” player now high on Manchester United’s shortlist.

Man Utd have big decision to make with Amorim at "breaking point"

Man United signed off with an unconvincing 3-2 victory against Burnley before the international break, which didn’t exactly silence the critics, and club legend Wayne Rooney believes the manager will be feeling the pressure.

Speaking after the EFL Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town, Rooney said: “Manchester United is so different to where he’s been before. You come in and there’s the media team, the commercial team, the fans and the media.

“There’s a pressure with United, which he will never have felt before. When you’re not winning games, that can start to get [to you] and it looked like he was at a breaking point.”

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As such, INEOS have a big decision to make on Amorim’s future, given that the Portuguese manager’s record since arriving last November has been far from impressive, averaging just 1.37 points per match across 46 games.

However, a new report from TEAMtalk states that Ratcliffe and co are ready to back their manager in the January transfer window, suggesting the Man United ownership still believe in Amorim’s project.

The 40-year-old is set to be provided with the funds to strengthen his squad this winter, and a new central midfielder is believed to be of particular interest, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson featuring high up the shortlist.

After joining Forest from Newcastle United for £35m last summer, Anderson has enjoyed an impressive rise, recently receiving his first call-up for England, and it would be fair to say the midfielder grasped the opportunity with both hands, impressing journalist Craig Hope.

"Amazing" Anderson impressing for club and country

Not only has the England international caught the eye for the Three Lions, but he has also received plaudits for his performances at club level, being described as “amazing” by former manager Nuno last season.

The 22-year-old is an incredibly well-rounded midfielder, as showcased by the fact he provides an attacking threat, picking up eight Premier League goal contributions last season, while his tackling ability is also impressive.

It is little wonder that Anderson is high on Man United’s shortlist, and he should remain a key target, regardless of whether Amorim lasts until the January transfer window.

SRH also brought back fit-again Harshal Patel for Jaydev Unadkat

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-20252:05

How can PBKS get the best out of Chahal?

Shreyas Iyer called correctly as an unchanged Punjab Kings (PBKS) elected to bat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad in IPL 2025.”The mindset has been to be aggressive from ball one,” he said. “We’ve seen that we don’t have a fantastic record in the powerplay, we have to see to it that we don’t have that at the back of the mind and play the ball on the merit.”We just need to stay in the present, be brave and bold with our approach and our attitude has to be top-notch. We have a fantastic few matches recently and need to repeat that.”PBKS are sitting pretty with three wins in four. SRH are seeking to overturn a string of four straight losses after opening the tournament with 286, the second-highest T20 total of all time.Fresh off a five-day break, SRH have handed a debut to Eshan Malinga in place of the ambidextrous allrounder Kamindu Mendis. A death bowler, like the OG Malinga, Eshan made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka earlier this year, and also impressed for Paarl Royals at the SA20. Harshal Patel was fit again and back in the bowling XI, having missed the last game because of an illness. Jaydev Unadkat had played on that occasion and goes out for today.”We feel like we can chase down anything,” Pat Cummins said. “It’s not been an ideal start but we’re training well and are in a good place. We try and destress, but it’s a long season. Things can turn quickly in T20s.”Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 Aniket Verma, 7 Pat Cummins (capt), 8 Eshan Malinga, 9 Zeeshan Ansari, 10 Harshal Patel, 11 Mohammed Shami
Impact player options: Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Jaydev Unadkat, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan MulderPunjab Kings: 1 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2 Priyansh Arya, 3 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 4 Nehal Wadhera, 5 Shashank Singh, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Lockie Ferguson
Impact player options: Suryansh Shedge, Pravin Dubey, Yash Thakur, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak

MatériaMais Notícias

O lateral-direito Régis, ex-São Paulo e Botafogo, foi preso na última quarta-feira (5), após ferir seu irmão, Rafael, com golpes de faca durante uma discussão em Corrente, cidade localizada ao sul de Teresina, no Piauí. Mas quem é Régis? Quais clubes ele passou? O Lance! responde.

Livres no mercado! 20 jogadores sem clube que mudariam o seu time de patamar

Régis começou a sua carreira no Guaratinguetá em 2010 e logo depois se transferiu para o São Bernardo. No clube do ABC Paulista, se destacou, mas acabou emprestado para equipes como Marcílio Dias e Paysandu. No ano de 2013, acabou acertando com a Ponte Preta e realizou 23 jogos, atuando em competições como Campeonato Paulista e Brasileirão.

A sua primeira experiência em uma equipe de maior expressão foi no Botafogo, em 2014. Na época, ele estava livre no mercado desde uma passagem pela Portuguesa. Porém, ele não deu certo no Glorioso, disputando somente 14 partidas e sendo liberado antes do fim do contrato. Passou por clubes do interior paulista, como Guarani e São Bento até chegar no São Paulo.

Luan, Soteldo, Nikão… Veja 10 jogadores que estão fora dos planos em seus clubes no Brasil

No Tricolor, em 2018, foi contratado com histórico de boas atuações contra o São Paulo. Foram dois gols em três jogos, todos pelo São Bento. Não deu certo no clube do Morumbi, disputando somente 15 jogos e tendo o contrato rescindido após problemas particulares. Depois, passou por CSA, Volta Redonda e outros clubes do interior.

Seu último time foi o São Caetano, onde foi titular na disputa do Campeonato Paulista da Série A-2.

Histórico de polêmicas

Uma questão que afetou a carreira de Régis foram os problemas pessoais. Em 2018, pouco após rescindir o contrato com o São Paulo, Régis foi detido pela polícia por tentar invadir o apartamento de vizinhos. Um ano depois, quando estava no CSA, acabou se envolvendo em uma confusão em um motel, quando supostamente tentou invadir o local.

Logo em seguida, em sua passagem pelo São Bento, Régis foi preso por dirigir embriagado, além de resistência à prisão e porte de drogas. Nesta semana, ele foi preso por em flagrante por tentativa de homicídio contra irmão, mas já foi liberado pela polícia após audiência de custódia.

أنهى منتخب المغرب مشواره في تصفيات قارة إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى بطولة كأس العالم نسخة 2026، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، بمباراته ضد نظيره منتخب الكونغو.

واستضاف ملعب “مولاي عبد الله” مباراة منتخبي المغرب والكونغو، في الجولة الأخيرة من تصفيات القارة السمراء المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، حيث فاز أسود الأطلس بهدف دون رد.

جاء هدف فوز المغرب والمباراة الوحيد في الدقيقة 63، وذلك عن طريق النجم يوسف النصيري بعد تمريرة من لاعب باريس سان جيرمان، أشرف حكيمي.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد منتخب المغرب إلى 24 نقطة في صدارة المجموعة الخامسة، بينما تجمد رصيد منتخب الكونغو عند نقطة واحدة في المركز الخامس.

وحقق منتخب المغرب بذلك العلامة الكاملة حيث فاز في مبارياته الثمانية في التصفيات، وسجل 22 هدفًا ولم تستقبل شباكه سوى هدفين فقط، في سجل مميز من جانبهم.

Konstas later brushed the incident aside, but Ricky Ponting said on commentary that Kohli “instigated that confrontation”

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Dec-2024

Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fees and awarded one demerit point for his altercation with Australia’s 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas during the fourth Test at the MCG. The incident occurred after the tenth over of the morning session, when Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch between overs.Both players exchanged words after the contact before Konstas’ opening partner Usman Khawaja and umpire Michael Gough interrupted to cut the altercation short.Kohli was sanctioned for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct that relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match”. No formal hearing was required as Kohli accepted the sanctions.Replays that emerged later in the session showed Konstas had turned around from the crease after the last ball of the tenth over, and was walking towards the other end while looking at his gloves, whereas Kohli – while tossing the ball in his hand – was looking ahead and went from outside the pitch towards Konstas and bumped into him.”I think the emotions got to both of us,” Konstas later told in the second session. “I didn’t quite realise; I was doing my gloves, then [there was] a little shoulder charge. But it happens in cricket.”