"They have everything to give teams trouble" - Neymar Jr names one team at 2024 Copa America that will 'surprise' everyone
Neymar Jr expects the United States to be a surprise package at 2024 Copa America after watching them in action against Brazil. The Al-Hilal forward is sitting out the tournament due to injury and will watch his Selecao teammates try and reign supreme.
Brazil's all-time top scorer spoke glowingly of the United States and the threat they pose at Copa America. He lavished praise on the Stars and Stripes' captain, Christian Pulisic, alluding to his time at Chelsea (via GOAL):
"I know Pulisic, I watched the Brazil vs United States game and the U.S. team surprised me a lot because they ran a lot, they played great defense against Brazil. [Pulisic] is a great player, he spent a long time at Chelsea. The U.S. will surprise during the Copa America. From what I saw in the game against Brazil, they have everything to give teams trouble."
Pulisic scored a stunner as the United States kickstarted their Copa America campaign with a 2-0 win against Bolivia. Gregg Berhalter's men dominated proceedings at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Sunday (June 23).
The United States endured topsy-turvy pre-tournament preparations before hosting it on home soil. They suffered a humiliating 5-1 loss to Colombia but drew 1-1 with Brazil in friendlies.
Berhalter's side are in Group C alongside Panama and Uruguay. They are ranked 11th in the FIFA World Rankings, and many are unsure what to expect.
Pulisic will be vital for the Stars and Stripes as he's his nation's captain and arguably the USA's biggest star in history. The AC Milan forward has bagged 30 goals and 18 assists in 69 caps since debuting in March 2016.
"A total lie" - Neymar plays down links to Santos amid missing Copa America
Neymar''s future has been the subject of speculation despite only a year into his two-year deal with Al-Hilal. He missed most of his debut season with the Saudi Pro League champions due to a cruciate ligament tear.
The Brazilian forward has been linked with a return to boyhood club Santos. He's poured cold water on suggestions he's headed back to the Estadio Urbano Caldeira in the near future (via ESPN Brazil):
"What they said is a total lie, there is nothing planned. I have one more year on my contract with Al Hilal, I hope to have a great season because unfortunately I missed out on the last one and that's it."
The former Barcelona superstar appeared just five times for Al-Hilal, with one goal and three assists. He admitted Santos are his favorite team and that a future return is on the cards:
"We're going to live little by little. We have a lot of time ahead of us. Santos is my favourite team, obviously I want to go back one day, but I don't have anything planned in my head."]
Neymar's absence from Copa America will be glaring as Brazil will be without their all-time top scorer. It will be up to Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to produce the goods in his absence.