Sport Features

IT will drive the haters mad, but it is going to happen.Neymar was on target in both Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, and on Sunday in their Copa America opener against Venezuela.
Brazil star Neymar celebrates scoring against Venezuela in the Copa America on SundayCredit: Reuters
Neymar is closing in on Pele’s Brazil goalscoring recordCredit: Alamy
Those three goals take him up to 67 – only 10 short of the total that Pele managed in official games.
With so much international football coming up – another six matches in the Copa plus 12 more World Cup qualifiers to squeeze in before the end of March – it is entirely possible that Neymar will overtake the great man before Qatar 2022.  Which goes to show the limitations of statistics.
Forty of Neymar’s international goals have come in friendlies – 42 if we include a few matches a decade ago against an Argentina side exclusively made up of home-based players.
A trophy was at stake, but the games were glorified friendlies.
But it is not really Neymar’s fault that so many of his goals have come in friendlies.
He first played for Brazil just after the 2010 World Cup – a time when, as 2014 hosts, Brazil had years of non competitive matches ahead of him. He has an Olympic title to his name, but his only senior honour is the semi-serious Confederations Cup.
This current tournament is his best chance of landing the Copa America – he played it as a kid in 2011, and picked up a suspension during Brazil’s ill -fated 2015 campaign.
He sat out the centenary version in 2016, giving preference to the Olympics, and was forced to pull out of 2019 through injury.

Neymar is a regular target for the oppositionCredit: Reuters
Injuries haven’t been kind to Neymar in big tournaments, including getting stretchered off at the 2014 World CupCredit: Reuters
The World Cup has been just as cruel. His 2014 competition was halted by serious injury, and in Russia 2018 he did as well as could be expected after rushing back from a long term lay off.
All of this makes next year’s World Cup absolutely crucial to his career. By the time 2026 comes around he will be 34, and surely in physical decline. 
But in Qatar he should be at his peak – not least because the tournament will be played in the middle of the European season, greatly reducing the chances of end of campaign burn out.
It is in Qatar where Neymar will be expected to rise to meet the expectations that have marked him as tight as any defender. In the 2022 World Cup Neymar will be expected to live up to the standard set by Pele.
None of these doubts ever dogged Pele’s career. There was never any question of whether or not he was really all that good.
True, there was a lobby in Brazil pushing for him to be dropped going into the 1970 World Cup. But only because – very wrongly as it proved – they feared that he was no longer able to tip the balance at the top level.
He had shown as a 17 year old in the 1958 World Cup that he was something very special. After that no one could seriously claim that he was more hype than substance.
Indeed, had he not been injured early in the 1962 campaign, then that second World Cup could have been the definitive statement of his genius.

With 67 goals Neymar has his sights set on breaking Pele’s record – and is just 10 goals shyCredit: AP

It is a statement of that genius that Pele is still Brazil’s top scorer. The South American sides play much more international football these days.
Almost all the country’s top scorers are current players – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Alexis Sanchez, Radamel Falcao Garcia, Salomon Rondon. There is no one from Pele’s era – except Pele.
The numbers say that Neymar is well on the way to overtaking him. The truth – and Neymar knows it, is that in comparison with Pele he is still on the early rungs of the ladder.
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WITH all the pressure and egos that make up squads in major tournaments, it’s no wonder they don’t fall out more often.The latest national team to suffer mutiny in the camp is France – with forwards Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe at each other’s throats before a ball has even been kicked ahead of Euro 2020.
Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe have reportedly fallen out before Euro 2020Credit: Getty
First, Giroud suggested that Mbappe didn’t pass to him on the pitch in an interview after a warm-up match against Bulgaria.
Sensationally, Mbappe then reportedly wanted to hold his own press conference to address Giroud’s remarks.
They’d be best shaking each other’s hands and moving on because in-house fighting can only go one way.
These teams all imploded at World Cups, Euros and Copa Americas – failing miserably in the process.
France, 2010 World Cup
It’s not the first time the French haven’t seen eye-to-eye.
At the 2010 World Cup, Les Bleus capitulated spectacularly – first when Patrice Evra squared up to manager Raymond Domenech after a training ground disagreement.
Then, after being hauled off at half-time in France’s second game against Mexico, Nicolas Anelka flew into a rage at Domenech and was sent home.
The players mutinied against the decision – which translated to the poor performance on the pitch with the French failing to win a single group game and left packing their bags.
Patrice Evra and manager Raymond Domenech rowed on the training ground in 2010Credit: AFP
Ex-France boss Domenech had a strained relationship with some of his starsCredit: Getty
The 2010 World Cup was a disaster – with France falling at the first hurdleCredit: AFP
Holland, Euro 1996
Two years prior, Ruud Gullit walked out of the Dutch squad in 1994 before the World Cup started.
But he wasn’t to blame for this particular unrest. Alleged rows over pay, claims of racism, and even inadequate catering services divided the squad.
Star midfielder Edgar Davids was sent home after saying manager Guus Hidding “should stop putting his head in some players’ asses.”
While Clarence Seedorf criticised the manager’s team selection publicly.
After scraping through the group stages – losing 4-1 to England along the way – they bombed out at the quarter-final stage to France on penalties.
Clarence Seedorf criticised manager Guus Hiddink’s team selection at Euro ’96Credit: Reuters
Edgar Davids was sent home from the squad after an explosive radio interviewCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Argentina, 2015 Copa America
The Argies were already in turmoil – thanks in part to the lack of leadership in their own FA.
They hadn’t yet appointed a successor to president Julio Humberto Grondona, who died in 2014.
And when they lost in a tense final to Chile on penalties in 2015, feelings hit fever pitch.
Messi, Mascherano, Higuaín, Di María, Banega, Biglia, Aguero and Lavezzi all threatened to quit the national team over the disorganised state of affairs.
Argentina’s stars threatened to quit after their Copa America defeat in 2015Credit: Reuters
Many were irked by the disarray of the Argentine FA, who had failed to appoint a successor to Julio Humberto Grondona (pictured here)Credit: AFP
England, 2010 World Cup
When you have a strict disciplinarian in charge like Fabio Capello, player fallout is bound to happen.
And when it’s with your captain, John Terry, then it’s certain to rub off on the other players.
Terry admitted that he challenged the Italian’s authority at the 2010 World Cup by insisting the players should be able to have a beer after a dismal draw against Algeria, which players had reportedly gotten wind of.
The Three Lions ended crashing out in the last-16 to Germany in a humiliating 4-1 loss.
John Terry took on strict disciplinarian Fabio Capello at the 2010 World CupCredit: PA:Press Association
West Germany, 1974 World Cup
Trust the Germans to buck the trend and use a fallout as a catalyst for success.
At the 1974 World Cup, several players were left disappointed by a £5,000 win bonus and wanted somewhere close to £17,000, which was in line with rivals Italy and Holland.
“You boys are greedy and if people find out what you’re doing, they will spit on you in the street,” manager Helmut Schon told his players at the time.
Franz Beckenbauer rallied the troops, after Schon said he would pick a second-string side, and incredibly they ended up winning the tournament, despite tales of late-night drinking and smoking until dawn.
West Germany manager Helmut Schon, pictured with captain Franz Beckenbauer, labelled his players greedy for wanting bigger win bonusesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Holland, Euro 2012
16 years later and the Dutch hadn’t learnt from past-experience.
Oranje failed to live up to their billing as one of the tournament’s favourites and lost every game in the group stage at Euro 2012.
A rumoured rivalry between Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar meant the two couldn’t play upfront together.
Van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay had allegedly angered team-mates with their egos due to their club status, while Gregory van der Wiel was accused of lacking focus and caring more about his fashion label.
Robin Van Persie allegedly angered Dutch team-mates with his egoCredit: AFP
Forwards Van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were said to hate each other and couldn’t play upfront togetherCredit: AP:Associated Press
Italy, 1974 World Cup
The late Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia was often a notoriously difficult figure to manage.
And after he was substituted against Haiti after missing several chances to score, he let rip at manager Ferruccio Valcareggi.
As he made his way to the sideline, Chinaglia told Valcareggi to “f*** off” before smashing up the changing room.
The team was already divided between the old and new guard, as well as the northern and southern players – this was just the icing on the cake.
Italian forward Giorgio Chinaglia proved to be disruptive at the 1974 World CupCredit: Rex Features
USA, 1998 World Cup
After Steve Sampson led the team to the Copa America semi-final in 1995, he was promoted from interim boss to full-time coach.
But in 1998, that all came to a head – thanks, in part, to Sampson booting captain John Harkes out of the team after a disagreement of team tactics.

The manager then upset his squad by including players who had hardly featured in qualifiers for his 1998 World Cup squad.
The USA imploded, losing all three games in France.
Harkes later said: “The more (Sampson) coached, the worse we got.”
USA captain was dropped from the squad after a disagreement with manager Steve Sampson and the team flopped at the 1998 World CupCredit: Allsport
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AS the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman.And in Alison, England boss Gareth Southgate has his rock that has stood by him since his days as a professional footballer to the man leading our charge at Euro 2020.
Gareth and Alison Southgate have been married for 23 yearsCredit: BackGrid
Alison Southgate has been Gareth’s rockCredit: Getty Images – Getty
She has been married to Gareth, 50, for 23 years – and his commitment to her and his family seemed to have rubbed onto the team.
Indeed, during the 2018 World Cup Rebekah Vardy praised the boss’s “family first” protocol for the World Cup by allowing players to spend time with their loved ones after matches.
He even lifted the sex ban before games, as we saw the likes of Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford cuddle up to their partners in the stands.
This time round, due to strict coronavirus protocols and the team having to remain in a bio-secure bubble, the Wags have been banned from England’s Hilton Hotel base at St George’s Park.
But, if we weren’t in these times, you can bet Southgate would’ve put family first.
Gareth and Alison stole the nation’s heart at the 2018 World CupCredit: supplied by Pixel8000
Daughter Mia and son Flynn pose for a snap with dad in the dressing room
SHY GARETH
Gareth’s commitment to his own family values and those of his players are thought to be all down to Alison, 54.
The couple met while she worked as a shop assistant in a clothing boutique, while Gareth was playing for South London side Crystal Palace in his early twenties.
The footballer, who was often mocked for his big nose, used to pretend to be visiting the shop to add to his wardrobe – but it was really the pretty blonde behind the till he was there to see.
And it took him two long years to pluck up the courage to actually ask her out.
But unfortunately for Gareth, she was living with a boyfriend at the time. So it would be even longer until they got together.
Amusingly, after his first attempt failed, the former Middlesbrough boss came across Alison and her then boyfriend at a restaurant a week later.
The couple first met in a South London clothing boutiqueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It took Southgate two years to pluck up the courage to ask Alison outCredit: Paul Edwards – The Sun
Having heard rumours that they were on the verge of splitting up, Gareth gave her his number when her ex wasn’t looking.
Incredibly, his bold move paid off and she called him that evening.
In his 2003 autobiography, Gareth revealed in the early days they used to sneak to a Tesco car park for dates to keep their new relationship secret from her ex.
The couple went on to move in together in Birmingham when the defender was playing for Aston Villa and they were married in the Parish Church of St Nicholas, Crawley, in 1997.
TILL DEATH DO US PART
Alison has been by Gareth’s side through thick and thin.
She was there to console him after his infamous missed penalty against Germany in the Euro 96 championships, which saw England booted out of the competition.
Alison, seen driving Southgate shortly after his penalty miss at Euro 96, supported her man through his career upsetCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Gareth and Alison seen on their wedding day in 1997Credit: Rex Features
She was also sidled up to him when he was offered the £3m a year job as England boss in 2017.
Today, the couple live in the very grand six-bedroom Elizabethan manor house, built in the 16th century and set in beautiful grounds in North Yorkshire.
They reportedly splashed £3.75million on it and it’s home to their two children, Mia, 22, and Flynn, 18
In his book, Southgate revealed family life has kept him sane from the stresses of football.
“On Saturday evening, our children are not too bothered whether Dad’s team have won or lost,” he wrote.
“Neither does Alison fret too much about football, and this is how I like it.
“Regardless of the result, it is up to me to ensure that no one’s evening is ruined because of things that happened on a football field.
“The agonising waits until Alison and the kids are asleep.”
Alison with her children Mia and Flynn
Alison posts a few holiday photos of herself with the kids but never of her husband
PRIVATE FAMILY
Alison lives discreetly and prefers to avoid the headlines.
She has managed to keep her personal life private, which has been very difficult when your husband is manager of the country’s national football team.
While of course they’re wealthy, Alison shares few holiday snaps on social media, that suggest they live a more modest life.
Mia is in her final year at the University of Edinburgh studying Social Anthropology, while Flynn goes to school in Yorkshire.
And Gareth has talked about the importance of maintaining a normal parent-child relationship, despite his time-sapping and full-on job.
He told the Standard in 2017: “You do have to try to find a balance because my focus inevitably gets drawn towards making this team as successful as we can and driving them to be the best team in the world.”
Family time is important for GarethCredit: Instagram
Despite Southgates high-profile, the family have managed to maintain a private lifeCredit: Instagram

“But I’m also a dad and a husband.”
He also told the paper that while his family are big fans of Love Island, he can’t stomach it.
Luckily for him this summer, he will be missing it this year as he’s otherwise occupied trying to turn the
Three Lions into Euro champions. You can bet if he does, he will dedicate it to his wife.
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