Brazil superstar Neymar names most difficult goalkeeper he has ever faced
Brazil superstar Neymar Jr has named Manuel Neuer as the most difficult goalkeeper he has ever faced. The Al-Hilal forward made the admission in a recent interview with Brazilian outlet CazeTV.
Neuer, Bayern Munich and Germany's first-choice goalkeeper, is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers of the modern era. The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner essentially normalized the role of a sweeper keeper in modern football.
He is also rock solid with his hands and has made incredible saves over the course of his career. Neymar, when asked about the most difficult goalkeeper he has faced, said:
"Neuer."
Neymar has faced Neuer at the international level once, in a fixture between Germany and Brazil. They have also come up against each other at the club level - when Barcelona and Bayern Munich faced off and also when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich locked horns at the European stage.
The Brazilian has lost four of his six encounters against Neuer while winning the other two. Currently, Neymar is sidelined with an injury and isn't a part of Brazil's squad for Copa America 2024.
Neuer, on the other hand, has been the first choice between the sticks for Germany in Euro 2024. The European Championships' hosts have already secured a berth in the quarter-finals of the competition and will face Spain in the last eight on Friday, July 5.
Vinicius Junior copies Neymar's celebration during Brazil's Copa America win
Brazil earned a 4-1 win against Paraguay in their second Copa America 2024 encounter on June 28. Vinicius Junior bagged a brace in that game and copied Neymar's celebration after one of his goals.
He was seen doing the Al-Hilal superstar's signature move by putting his hands beside his face. The 32-year-old uploaded a social media post, writing:
"congratulations for today @vinijr played a lot!!!" (Translated from Portuguese)
Vinicius shared the post and wrote:
"My idol."
While Neymar is the poster boy of Brazilian football, Vinicius Junior has become the team's leading attacker in his absence. Brazil have so far won one and drawn the other Group D game at Copa America 2024.
They are second in the group, two points behind Colombia, with four points from two matches. Dorival Junior's side next play Colombia on Tuesday, July 2.