Pele himself told you that Neymar, the fleet-footed wisp of an attacker for Brazil, was the best player in the world. Not even close, he said. It’s Neymar over Leo Messi by a Brazilian mile.
So U.S. fans should be slap-kneed giddy to learn that Neymar did, in fact, land on the Brazilian roster for the upcoming friendlies, including three in the United States.
Brazil meets Jurgen Klinsmann’s United States team on May 30 outside Washington, D.C., Mexico outside of Dallas on June 3 and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 8.
Other names to know: Barcelona’s Dani Alves, Inter Milan’s Juan, AC Milan’s Thiago Silva, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Porto’s fast-emerging Hulk, a young midfielder who is already among the summer’s most high-profile transfer targets.
The complete Brazil roster announced Friday:
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Fiorentina), Rafael (Santos)
Defenders: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Porto), Juan (Inter Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alex Sandro (Porto), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Bruno Uvini (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Sao Paulo), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Giuliano (Dnipro), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Wellington Nem (Fluminense), Oscar (Internacional), Romulo (Vasco de Gama), Sandro (Tottenham)
Forwards: Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Hulk (Porto), Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
-
Looking at the United States’ roster ahead of their Canada rematch
May 22, 2013, 4:03 PM EDT
Yesterday’s announcement included few surprises after of the U.S.’s June 2 match at BMO Field.
-
Well, what took them so long to get into the party?
-
How Tony Pulis removal at Stoke City may affect U.S. internationals Cameron, Shea and Edu
May 22, 2013, 2:40 PM EDT
Getty Images
Looks like a mixed bag for the American trio:
-
Getty Images
As the towering English forward weighs up his options, should he return to Liverpool, sign for West Ham or go elsewhere?
-
Mario Götze to miss Champions League final against future club Bayern
May 22, 2013, 1:40 PM EDT
Reuters
With Dortmund’s main attacker threat out injured, can Dortmund still lift the Champions League trophy?
-
AP
Can the Yankees provide a viable option for New York City FC to play in? Of course they can. Maybe.
-
They have owners and an employee, but now comes the hardest part for MLS expansion club NYCFC. The challenges ahead are daunting:
-
Getty Images
The one accolade no EPL player wants on their soccer resume…
-
Claudio Reyna announced as New York City FC Director of Football
May 22, 2013, 11:05 AM EDT
New York City FC announces Reyna as first employee, a good first move, right?
-
Reuters
Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Red Bull Arena… which venue could work best as a temporary home for New York City FC?
-
Getty Images
The magic of the Cup lives on, as four PDL sides now face trips to MLS teams in the third-round. Is this the stuff dreams are made of?
-
Getty Images
Pulis joins long list of EPL managers departing… is English soccer becoming more ruthless?
-
Wait a minute … didn’t MLS commissioner Don Garber say there “is no Plan B …” beyond the Queens location?
-
Well, phooey! Didn’t Dempsey just go through a summer of transfer instability?
-
U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley training in Fort Lauderdale
May 21, 2013, 5:55 PM EDT
Getty Images
The U.S. midfielder is doing his part to stay fit and sharp ahead of the important internationals ahead:
-
This and that as the U.S. contingent preps to gather in Cleveland ahead of five matches over the next few weeks:
-
Getty Images
The updated ordering in ProSoccerTalk’s ranking of Major League Soccer teams following 12 rounds of play:
-
Officials from MLS, Yankees, Manchester City and NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg to speak tomorrow on expansion news
May 21, 2013, 3:15 PM EDT
Getty Images
How very convenient that Manchester City just happens to be in the States for a brief two-game tour.
-
It’s really about two things, and not much else:
-
A few implications of the ‘sister-club’ relationship between City and NYC FC
May 21, 2013, 2:05 PM EDT
Getty Images
By forming NYC FC, City and the Yankees have created a ‘sister-club’ relationship – an innovative bond between a Premiership and MLS club.
-
Play
Video: Premier League drama set to thrill
-
Play
Video: Premier League: Real English drama
-
Play
Video: Highlights: Union outlast Fire
-
Play
Video: Sir Alex says goodbye
-
Play
Video: Morgan committed to growth of new women's league
-
Play
Video: Boy with cancer, 8, scores against major league soccer team
