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A Seleção Brasileira apenas empatou com a Venezuela, em Cuiabá, pelas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2026. O público da Arena Pantanal não gostou da atuação canarinho e o descontentamento acabou sobrando para Neymar, que foi atingido por pipocas na saída do gramado. Embora o camisa 10 seja o mais talentoso dos brasileiros e seus números falem por si só, sua presença no time tem gerado contestações. Dessa forma não podemos deixar de refletir: Neymar é problema ou solução para o Brasil?

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

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Se pegarmos o recorte da “Era Tite”, ficará evidente a diferença que Ney fazia em campo. Com ele, a Seleção jogou 54 jogos, venceu 42, empatou nove e perdeu somente três. Isso quer dizer que 78% das partidas terminaram com vitória, o que em uma conta aproximada poderíamos dizer que o Brasil de Tite venceu quatro a cada cinco jogos que disputou com o camisa 10 em campo.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

No mesmo recorte, ou seja, sem Neymar, a Seleção fez 27 partidas, venceu 18, empatou seis e perdeu três. Assim, o índice de vitórias cai para 67%. A diferença não é tão grande, mas já mostra que o time sentiu falta de seu maior expoente.

Nem precisamos recorrer ao período de Tite para mostrar a importância de Ney. Desde a saída do antigo treinador, o Brasil fez seis jogos, três sem Neymar e três com ele. Nos três que contaram com a ausência do craque, apenas uma vitória e duas derrotas. Já em seu retorno, foram duas vitórias e um empate. Não há como negar que o camisa 10 faz diferença e é sim uma solução.

+ Brasil x Venezuela: empate entra para lista de vexames da Seleção em casa neste século

Acontece que é preciso também medir o impacto de Neymar na questão tática. Aos 31 anos, Ney não é mais aquele garoto rápido e habilidoso, que passava por cima do marcador na ponta esquerda e, se deixassem, ainda corria o campo inteiro. Os tempos mudam, o físico muda, as lesões aparecem, ou seja, não há como manter aquele nível por quase 15 anos sem alterações.

Hoje Neymar é um jogador que atua mais pelo meio, não é mais um ponta, deixando essa “função” para Vini Jr, para Raphinha, para Rodrygo… E de fato ele faz bem esse papel de criação, abastecendo os companheiros, atraindo marcação, etc. No entanto, esse posicionamento acaba trazendo consequências para o restante da equipe.

+ Neymar toma ‘chuva de pipoca’ após empate entre Brasil e Venezuela e fica irritado

Ney não é um marcador e nunca foi um homem de compor meio-campo ou “fechar uma linha” para sustentar um esquema mais defensivo, o que acaba gerando um buraco entre o ataque e a defesa, sobrecarregando os volantes, como aconteceu contra a Venezuela. O time adversário se aproveita disso para ter superioridade numérica em uma zona crucial do campo.

Para completar, Neymar não é um armador, que dose o ritmo do jogo, pare a bola, distribua, etc. Pode até fazer, mas não é a sua especialidade, e talvez ele mesmo precise de um jogador ao seu lado com essas características.

+ ANÁLISE: Seleção de Diniz joga mal, dá vexame e concede margem para quem clama por Ancelotti

A verdade é que Neymar está longe de ser um problema, mas ser aquele que vai resolver tudo vai depender muito mais do técnico arranjar uma solução para esse dilema, seja sacando outro jogador para preencher o meio, seja alterando o esquema do setor defensivo com um meio-campo diferente. No sistema atual, o questionamento somente vai aumentar.

Things are looking rather bleak for West Ham United at the moment.

Yes, Nuno Espírito Santo did oversee a spirited comeback away to Everton in his first Premier League game, but since then, the Hammers have lost two and sit in the relegation zone, three points and a better goal difference from safety.

Worse yet, while the defeat to Arsenal was to be expected, the East Londoners needed to get something from the game against Brentford. Instead, they put in one of their worst performances in a long, long time.

So, to arrest this downturn in form, Nuno has to try something dramatic, such as dropping Lucas Paqueta for an exciting young talent.

Why Lucas Paqueta has to be dropped

Now, the first thing to say is that there is no denying that Paqueta is an incredibly talented footballer and has the ability to be a real game-changer for West Ham.

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However, it is equally true that the former Lyon star has been underwhelming for quite some time and was utterly ineffective last time out.

For example, in 94 minutes of inaction against Brentford, he produced a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.12, took a single shot, which was off target, took 61 touches, but lost the ball 23 times, misplaced 100% of his crosses and was accurate in just 26 of 41 passes.

Paqueta’s game vs Brentford

Minutes

94′

Expected Goals

0.04

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.08

Shots on Target

0

Shots Off Target

1

Touches

61

Lost Possession

23

Dribbles (Completed)

1 (0)

Key Passes

0

Crosses (Accurate)

2 (0)

Duels (Won)

20 (7)

All Stats via Sofascore

Such a terrible showing cannot even be blamed on the fact that he was playing as a false nine, either, as he’s been poor for most of the season thus far.

For example, while he has scored three goals this season, the last one was a penalty on deadline day, and since then, he has yet to score another or even provide an assist.

Moreover, while players can go through barren spells and still provide some attacking impetus for their sides, that has not been the case with the Brazilian, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan who has been impressed with his displays.

So with all that said, while there is every chance Paqueta gets back to his mercurial best later in the season, it’s time he was taken out of the team entirely.

There are other options to play up top, like Callum Wilson, and if Nuno really wants to shake things up, he could start a particularly promising prospect in the ten for the game against Leeds United.

The West Ham gem Nuno could start over Paqueta

While it might be something of a gamble, this is the time for Nuno to take risks to try and improve West Ham’s fortunes in the next game, and therefore, he should look to start the incredibly exciting Luis Guilherme in place of Paqueta in attacking midfield.

Now, it might be the case that the young Brazilian is viewed as more of a winger at the moment, but the “complete” and “electric” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has played all over the pitch, including as a ten.

For example, from his time in Brazil up until today, the 19-year-old prospect, who, according to Mattinson, has “the world at his feet,” has made appearances at centre-forward, left-wing, right-wing, right midfield and attacking midfield.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for him to adapt.

More importantly, his skill set could help add some real dynamism to the middle of the park, and according to U23 scout Antonio Mango, the ten position would “suit his profile brilliantly.”

For example, when scouting him, Mattinson highlighted the fact that the teenager is a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

On top of that, when he does take shots, Mattinson states that they are often of “high calibre.”

Finally, away from direct goal involvements, his impressive agility could make him an absolute nightmare for opposition defenders and defensive midfielders.

Ultimately, starting Guilherme in the ten would be a gamble, but with how poorly Paqueta is playing at the moment, it’s one Nuno should take.

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Blazing a trail for cricket’s fast-bowling women suits Lauren Filer just fine, but she’ll gladly pull others along with her.Filer averaged 76mph in bowling the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during England’s thrilling five-run victory over India in the third T20I at The Oval on Friday. She was twice clocked at 79mph in her fourth over – the 16th in India’s pursuit of 172 – and she said the magical 80mph mark was firmly on her radar.”Not to sound cocky, but I think I knew that I’d be able to push close to 80,” Filer said of that over. “I sort of touched on 78 every so often over the last year and, for me on Friday, the great thing about it was the fact that it was more consistent, that’s what I’ve been trying to do.Related

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“It’s not necessarily hitting that one ball that’s 80, that’s not going to make the difference. The difference is the consistency of increasing my speed. From the game in Trent Bridge, I think I was averaging 73, then I went up to 75 in Bristol and now obviously 76 at The Oval.”That’s what I’m trying to aim for and hopefully again I can hit that 80 number. I’m just going to try and keep consistently bowling at that mid-70s and in the women’s game that’s not heard of very often, so that’s my aim.”Filer has made some technical changes, including increasing her run-up since returning from the knee injury which kept her out of England’s T20I series against West Indies earlier in the season. As a result, she feels more “in time”.”Bowling’s all about feel,” she said. “It’s not about trying to lug it down as fast as you can because on Friday I didn’t necessarily feel at my quickest, but actually it’s usually then is when you probably are bowling your quickest, it’s all about flow and rhythm.”So it is more just getting into time and cleaning up my action. I’m quite limby, it’s all limbs go everywhere, so it’s all just bringing it together and that’s what’s happened over the last couple of games.”Filer has a propensity to fall over in her follow-through, which particularly stood out during the Ashes in January. There, she said her front foot was sliding a long way along the surfaces, causing her to fall over, which wasn’t a problem in the moments when she went tumbling in London last week.”It’s nothing that’s to be massively concerned about,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the pitch and then sometimes it’s just me.”Sometimes I just land and I just get in a position where I end up having to just tuck and roll and I’ve sort of mastered that, which is good because it just hurts less.Filer is hoping to breach the 80mph barrier•ECB via Getty Images

“We’re not too concerned as long I’m staying on my feet the majority of the time. It’s not affecting me massively and I can still generally bowl quick with this action. If I can do that, I don’t want to tweak with it too much because it could end up affecting it negatively.”Last year, Shabnim Ismail breached 130kph (80.7mph) for the first time in the women’s game, playing for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals at the WPL, reaching 132.1kph (82.08mph) nine months after she retired from international cricket.South African Ismail also holds the record for the fastest delivery in women’s international cricket – 128kmph (79.54mph) against West Indies in 2016.The prospect of putting herself in that 80mph bracket brings a sense of excitement for Filer in terms of highlighting fast bowling in the women’s game.”That’s probably the reason why I want to hit it,” she said. “It’s not necessarily a personal milestone in myself, but actually proving that women can get to that milestone and hopefully others can follow as well.”I don’t want it just to be one or two people. We want loads of women to be able to be bowling at that speed. After Friday people are probably talking about it more than they were and hopefully if I can hit it then it encourages other people to try and aim for that and actually make the game even more exciting than it already is.”Filer isn’t the first bowler in this England women’s team to speak of bowling at 80mph. Five years ago, a then-17-year-old Issy Wong said she had ambitions to reach the milestone because it had “never been hit by a girl yet”.Wong is still re-establishing herself in England’s T20I squad after battling problems with her rhythm and run-up in 2023, having made her international debut the previous year. She took 1 for 36 from her four overs at The Oval, her first outing of the series with India, having played two T20Is against West Indies.Filer took 2 for 30 in the latest game against India, that pivotal over resulting in a dropped catch off Harmanpreet Kaur, the key wicket of Smriti Mandhana for 56 and a spicy welcome for Richa Ghosh, pinged hard on the helmet, all in the space of three deliveries.England will need more of the same as their next encounter, at Old Trafford on Wednesday, remains a must-win game for the hosts if they are to keep the five-match series alive. India lead 2-1 after a thumping 97-run win in the opening match at Trent Bridge and 24-run victory in Bristol.Winning matches for England, Filer says, is her main aim and the reason she has her eye on the speed gun.”I’ve always sort of kept a number on the speeds, but it’s not necessarily a judgement piece for me. It probably shows me whether I’m doing my technical stuff right,” she said.”If I don’t do some of the technical stuff that I have been doing right then I end up being slower. So for me it’s more of a thing to see if I’ve done my stuff well. I generally come off a pitch and ask the analyst what my average speed was and what my fastest ball was just to see where I was at.”I want to help us win games and if that means bowling 80 miles an hour or getting close to it, if that’s the way, then great. If it’s not, then I’ve got to focus on my variations or doing something else that’s going to help us win games.”

Years from now, as the greatest comeback team in the history of World Series clinchers gathers for reunions, no one will have to lie, exaggerate or stretch the facts like taffy. The truth is wildly entertaining enough.

The Los Angeles Dodgers really did come from five runs down against a Cy Young Award winner working on a no-hitter. Freddie Freeman really did go all Kirk Gibson on one good leg. Shohei Ohtani did play with one good arm while keeping the other in an invisible sling.  And Dave Roberts really did make critical strategic decisions once by feeling a man’s heartbeat and once by letting his first baseman make the call with a hand signal.

But when the 2024 Dodgers talk about how they won the World Series, especially with a 7–6 win in absolute lollapalooza of a Game 5 Wednesday, they must begin with the story of the team bus that afternoon. Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler strutted onto that bus as it departed for Yankee Stadium and told Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, and Brandon Gomes, the general manager, “Hey, if things get wonky tonight, I’m good to go.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s great,” Friedman said with an eye roll.

“No, seriously,” Buehler said. 

Friedman was thinking to himself,

Buehler had one day of rest after throwing 76 pitches in a Game 3 start, this in his first season back after missing almost two years after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery. He is a free-agent-to-be. In other words, he is the last guy anyone should expect to be cranking his arm voluntarily with such little rest. (His mound counterpart from Game 3, Clarke Schmidt, spent Game 5 in the New York Yankees dugout in sneakers.)

“Well,” Buehler continued, “but what if things get wonky?” 

By the sixth inning, the Dodgers had scored five of the zaniest unearned runs the World Series has ever seen and Roberts, the Dodgers manager, had already called on all six of his high-leverage relief pitchers—with nine outs still to go.

At that point Buehler walked into the Dodgers clubhouse and found Friedman, who had been on a telephone trying to find a flight that night to Los Angeles with a lay-flat seat for Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, given the likelihood of a Yankees win that would force the series back to Dodger Stadium.

“Um, is this the definition of wonky?” Buehler asked.

Yes. Most definitely yes.

Vincent van Gogh had the south of France. Georgia O’Keeffe had New Mexico. Ernest Hemingway had Spain. The 2024 Dodgers will always have World Series Game 5. Their last game was their signature game, not only because it clinched their second championship in five seasons, but also because it defined their trademark feistiness. When everything went wonky, including a 5–0 deficit to Gerrit Cole and a bullpen quickly running out of pitchers, the Dodgers were at their best.

“In years past we would have lost this game,” Roberts said. “We lost in 2017 in [World Series] Game 7. We were down 4–0 in the second inning. Look what they did now. I’m proud, especially of the little things this team did.”

Friedman has talked about building a “golden era” of Dodgers baseball. Don’t look now, but we are smack in the middle of it already. Over the past 12 years the Dodgers have posted a .613 winning percentage and won two World Series. No other franchise has played that well and won multiple titles over a dozen years.

This Dodgers team, Roberts admitted, trafficked in feistiness unlike the others he has managed. Buehler with a twice-repaired elbow volunteering to walk into the teeth of wonkiness defines that grit. But to find the real beginning of the bus ride story you must go back to Sept. 15 in Atlanta. The Dodgers had lost the first two of four games against the Atlanta Braves. They were 5–7 in their past 12 games. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres were making a run at them. The Dodgers had just found out that pitcher Tyler Glasnow was out for the year. Roberts, who generally disdains team meetings, called a meeting.

“The message basically was, I can’t believe more in them than they believe in themselves,” Roberts said.

Then he remembered the cardinal rule of team meetings: always check that day’s starting pitcher before you call a team meeting. The Dodgers’ starter that day was Buehler, who had a 5.95 ERA in 13 starts and was so bad coming back from his Tommy John surgery the Dodgers began to think he might not make their postseason roster.

So Roberts doubled down. He held a private meeting with Buehler.

“Hey, man,” Roberts told Buehler, “I need you to go on a heater. And it has to start now.”

“That’s about the extent of what he said,” Buehler said. “And I did.”

The Baltimore Orioles had their season come to an abrupt end on Wednesday when they lost to the Kanas City Royals, 2-1, in Game 2 of their American League wild-card series. It's the second straight year they've been swept from the playoffs and it was their 10th consecutive postseason loss.

Not great.

The Orioles had a chance to take control of Game 2 when they loaded the bases in the fifth inning but then they self-destructed in brutal fashion. The worst moment came when Colton Cowser struck out on a pitch that hit him.

This was a brutal way to go down swinging:

MLB fans crushed him for that:

Paul Merson slammed a Chelsea star after the bitterly disappointing 2-1 defeat against Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

Blues suffer setback against newly-promoted Sunderland

Sunderland have surpassed expectations so far this season, but the Blues would’ve been expecting to take all three points against a newly-promoted side, and the 2-1 defeat is a setback, especially after winning their previous four games on the bounce in all competitions.

Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring for Enzo Maresca’s side after just four minutes, with the winger netting his first goal since arriving at Stamford Bridge, but Wilson Isidor’s equaliser and a stoppage-time winner from Chemsdine Talbi turned the game on its head.

A number of the home side’s players struggled, with Marc Guiu failing to make any impact on the match, and there have since been calls for Maresca to drop the striker, who touched the ball just ten times prior to being withdrawn on the 75-minute mark.

Guiu was given the nod at centre-forward, in order to accommodate Joao Pedro in an attacking midfield role, despite the Brazilian starting almost exclusively at striker so far this season.

Maresca would’ve been hoping the position change would allow the 24-year-old to rediscover his top form, but it wasn’t to be, with Merson left very unimpressed by his performance.

Speaking on Sky Sports (via Metro), the former Arsenal man said: “They need Delap back badly, they need a focal point.

“Guiu played up front and I think he touched the ball nine, ten times. You can’t do that in a team that are supposed to be dominating the ball.

“Chelsea ran out of ideas. They had winger after winger but half of them don’t go past anyone. Joao Pedro looked lost as a number ten. They struggled and were pretty poor.”

Injury may have impacted Pedro's performance

The Blues have been forced to deal with a number of injury issues in the early stages of the campaign, and Maresca revealed the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is one of many players not at full fitness.

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The Italian said: “Joao is not training every day because he is managing an injury problem. Moi is the same, Enzo is the same,

“We have four or five players that have some problems and cannot work every day. They try to make the effort and play the game. Joao struggled a little bit today but all of the players did today, so it’s not just Joao.”

That said, there will rightfully be concerns about the display, with the forward losing possession nine times and failing to get a single shot away throughout the match.

Pedro’s performance levels have been going downhill for some time now, having failed to register a Premier League goal or assist since September, and Maresca will be hoping the £125k-a-week forward can turn the corner soon.

Arsenal supporters, alongside Mikel Arteta in unison, all spend the international break the same way; praying all the players return to London Colney injury-free.

This desperation has been exacerbated further by the fact that Martin Ødegaard suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee against West Ham last weekend.

The Norwegian midfielder had been back to his dazzling best against Olympiacos three days earlier – supplying Bukayo Saka’s goal – but will now spend at least a few weeks on the sidelines, which could be a significant blow for the Premier League leaders.

So, which player should Arteta deploy in Ødegaard’s absence, and why could he be the man to get the best out of Arsenal’s most high-profile summer signing, Viktor Gyökeres?

Viktor Gyökeres' Arsenal form in numbers

Having arrived from Sporting Clube de Portugal for around £65m, one of the club’s biggest-ever outlays, scoring a whopping 97 goals in just 102 appearances for the Lisbon-based giants, sky-high expectations were placed on Gyokeres.

The widely accepted narrative was that all Arsenal needed to get to the next level is a top-class number nine, something they arguably have not had since the days of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Well, so far, in ten appearances, Gyökeres has scored just three times for the Gunners, bagging a brace during his home Premier League debut against Leeds, before also netting when Nottingham Forest visited North London.

However, the Sweden international has also missed four Opta-defined big chances in the Premier League, as well as three in the Champions League, evidence to the zeitgeist that he probably should have scored more goals.

Nevertheless, Gyökeres is a player who needs service to thrive, underlined by the fact that, of all Arsenal outfield players to have completed 90 minutes this season, he averages the lowest touches-per-90 at just 24.1.

Between this international break and the next, Arsenal’s four Premier League fixtures are against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland, so many will be expecting Gyökeres to rack up the goals, but which teammate can help get the best out of him?

Arsenal's sensational creator can get Gyokeres firing

In their most recent outing against West Ham, Arteta did what many were calling for by deploying Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze alongside each other for the very first time, both in a central role.

This experiment was short-lived, but came a week after Eze had got the nod through the middle at Newcastle, when many had believed Arteta would go for the more defensively solid trio of Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, as he had at Anfield.

Now with Ødegaard set for a spell in the treatment room, Eze has to be given the keys to this team, made a central figure with the Gunners likely to be tasked with breaking down a low block on a tri-weekly basis, a challenge that often proves to be their kryptonite.

When he signed for the club in August, Sporting Director Andrea Berta​​​​​​​ labelled the England international “creative and explosive”, while Arteta described him as “powerful and exciting”, noting that he “will give us a new dimension in our attacking game”.

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Meantime, speaking on talkSPORT, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish called his former star player “sensational”, praising both his quality on the pitch as well as character and dedication.

Well, since making the move from South London to North, Eze has already shown his quality, scoring his first goal for the Gunners during last month’s EFL Cup tie at Port Vale.

The statistics below also give a sense of what Eze has added to his new team.

As outlined, despite limited minutes, Eze has instantaneously established himself as a creative force in this Arsenal team.

Shots

2.8

1st

Shots on target

1.13

1st

Shots on target %

46.2%

5th

Progressive passes

5.23

8th

Shot-creating actions

3.83

3rd

Goal-creating actions

0.68

4th

Successful dribbles

1.3

3rd

Take-on success %

61.5%

1st*

*minimum 10 take-ons attempted.

No player averages more shots on target on a per-90 basis, while he also ranks highly in terms of chance creation and dribbling.

At Crystal Palace last season, he created 11 big chances in the Premier League, while his ability in this department has been best showcased in Arsenal colours so far by his jaw-dropping assists for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal to salvage a draw against Manchester City.

This pass underlines exactly how he can get the best out of Gyökeres​​​​​​​. The Swede thrives when he has open space to run into, his first goal against Leeds Exhibit A in that regard, but teammates have often been hesitant to play the early pass, as they are still adapting to having that sort of striker transplanted into the team.

Well, Eze, a new arrival himself of course, appears best-equipped to provide Gyökeres with the services he requires.

At Craven Cottage on Saturday, Eze needs to be utilised high and centrally, getting as close to Gyökeres as possible, because getting the best out of both will be key to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes.

​​​​​​​

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Tottenham Hotspur will look to kick on once the January transfer window opens and could be willing to put their money where their mouth is to sign Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, but circumstances will need to align.

The Lilywhites have become a thorn in the side of many Premier League outfits this campaign due to their physicality and new-found ability to convert from set-pieces, making them a dangerous opposition to come up against on any given day.

Mohammed Kudus has shone in the forward areas and Spurs have earned a new lease of life after their domestic form last term, with Thomas Frank deserving of credit for managing to solidify the Lilywhites in all areas.

Despite his mixed start to life in North London, the Dane made clear before his side took on Chelsea that Xavi Simons is another figure he expects to come to life in the heart of his side.

He said: “Yes. No doubt about that. I’m not in doubt that Xavi will perform very well for us. That is down to him, to me, to the team, to everyone to get it done. The one thing you don’t have in football is time, but it will take time.

“It’s completely natural. Sometimes we can’t talk about processes and time and all that, but the reality is you need it, everyone needs it. I’m confident. I’m sure it will happen.”

Frank’s outfit appear to be solid from middle to front, that much is true, but there is always room for improvement when you are eyeing a slot in the Champions League places.

With that in mind, Spurs are now plotting a January bid for a star who they may be set to put their large transfer kitty towards.

Tottenham line up Scott McTominay amid huge Napoli demands

According to Football Insider, Tottenham will look to put their sizeable transfer kitty towards signing Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, who could be at the centre of an intriguing saga involving both parties.

Fabio Paratici has set his sights on the Scotland international and the money on offer could be a lure for the former Manchester United man to return to the Premier League. However, Pete O’Rourke believes it would take a ‘huge’ statement of intent from Spurs to push a deal over the line.

Scott McTominay’s time at Napoli

Appearances

47

Goals

17

Assists

7

He said: “Napoli won’t want to weaken their squad by losing such an important player like Scott McTominay. He’s under contract until 2028, so, to even consider selling him would be a huge fee as well.”

Intriguingly, the same report has floated the idea of Kobbie Mainoo joining Napoli, which could pave the way for movement to take place elsewhere, albeit that remains unlikely for now.

Tottenham are also eyeing another Serie A goalscorer

Still, McTominay has been a titan since joining the reigning Serie A champions in 2024 and has continued that form into this term, placing seven of his 16 shots taken on target, per Fotmob, hence why Frank is keen to do a deal.

Ronaldinho's son, Joao Mendes, has claimed that he is not burdened by the pressure to emulate his legendary father and is working hard to make a name for himself with Hull City. He featured in the Premier League Cup against Bournemouth last month, and the youngster is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as tougher challenges await him in the EFL.

From Barcelona spotlight to Yorkshire’s grit

Mendes’ journey to Hull has already taken him through a couple of continents. After spells at Cruzeiro and Barcelona, he moved to Burnley last season before joining Hull in September on a short-term deal running until the end of the campaign. His arrival in Spain in 2023 made global headlines, not because of his talent, but for following in his father’s footsteps at the club where Ronaldinho’s magic once lit up Camp Nou. The former Brazil star won two La Liga titles and a Champions League during his time in Spain, and many hoped that Mendes would also go on to shine with the Blaugrana. But for Mendes, that link was precisely why he needed to step away.

AdvertisementMendes wants a name of his own

At Hull, Mendes is determined to carve out his own story and not one defined by the golden legacy of his famous father. "I don't feel any pressure. I've always had it clear in my mind that I'm me and he's him," he told BBC Radio Humberside. "It's normal that you're going to see me as his son but that doesn't affect me or the way I play. I don't care at all. All my family always say to me it is just noise and I don't need to listen to any of it. I just need to be happy playing football."

At Hull, Mendes is currently part of the Under-21 squad. He can operate both as a winger and an attacking midfielder and is determined to prove his mettle, which will open doors to the first team.

"I'm just working hard to earn my spot. The main objective is to make it to the first team," he said. "The fitness level wasn't there when I joined so I'm working on that. The coaches understand and help me a lot."

Growing up in football’s harsh spotlight

Ronaldinho’s career is the stuff of legend as he has scored 236 club goals and won 12 major trophies. But while his father’s smile once lit up the world’s biggest stages, Mendes' journey is only just beginning. However, he remains determined to write it on his own terms.

"I want to be Joao, regardless of anything," he said in an earlier interview with. "I never tried to be my father, I never wanted to be my father. So to get away a bit from where he played [Barca] and what's close, I think it was a good start and a good step for me. I think people on the outside want you to be something you're never going to be, whether you like it or not, right? It's good to be here."

Being the son of a global superstar means the camera follows you everywhere. Every touch of the ball, every pass, and every miss carries extra scrutiny. Mendes knows this better than anyone, and so did his parents.

"My father and mother never really wanted me to pursue it, because they already knew what was going to happen. But when passion speaks louder, you can't help it," he had said

When asked if he feels burdened by his father’s name, he replied: "It's a fine line, because there are people who cross it, there are people who don't, but I've always been proud to be the son of who I am. My father was one of the best, if not the best, to ever play the game. So being his son, being able to talk about him, is a source of pride. And I try to do my own thing, I try not to put my father in the middle of things, I try to play my football my way, without pressure."

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AFPAdapting to life in England

Swapping Brazil’s beaches for English winters has been an adjustment, but Mendes has taken it in stride. "It's difficult at first, there's no denying that. Even more so now in winter, it's a bit worse," he said. "If you put on a glove, two socks, we can manage."

As Hull’s first team sits fifth in the Championship, chasing promotion to the Premier League, Mendes knows opportunities could open up. He is focused on proving his credentials with the U21s, and comparisons with his father don't bother him at all.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo fez acordo com o Santos para jogar na Vila Belmiro no dia 8 de novembro, contra o RB Bragantino. Sem o Morumbi — que fechará para receber shows nos dias 10, 12 e 13 — o Tricolor tinha acordo para utilizar o Allianz Parque, do Palmeiras, mas desconsiderou o trato para a ocasião.

+ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Os principais pontos considerados pelo clube paulista foram o gramado sintético da casa do rival alviverde e a proximidade do confronto com o próprio Peixe, que será na Vila. O clássico San-São acontece no dia 12 de novembro, e o São Paulo quer se acostumar ao ambiente. Vale destacar que o Tricolor ainda não venceu jogos fora de casa pelo Brasileirão e amarga a pior marca como visitante da história do torneio.

MELOU O ACORDO?

O São Paulo utilizou o Allianz Parque em uma oportunidade, nas quartas de final do Paulistão, quando foi eliminado pelo Água Santa. O acordo entre os rivais previa a ‘troca’ dos estádios quando as equipes não pudessem utilizar os seus próprios. O Palmeiras atuou no Morumbi contra Santos e Cerro Porteño (PAR).

Ainda que o acordo não tenha melado oficialmente, o Tricolor desconsiderou a possibilidade de atuar na ‘casa verde’. A diretoria são-paulina tem receio do gramado artificial, onde diversos jogadores do time acabaram tendo lesões.

O próprio Palmeiras também não voltou a mandar partidas no Morumbi. O clube não terá o Allianz Parque em praticamente toda reta final do Brasileirão, e sua casa será a Arena Barueri, estádio que deve ser administrado por uma das empresas de Leila Pereira, presidente alviverde.

ARENA BARUERI?

Enquanto o Pacaembu ainda passa por reformas, a Arena Barueri serviu como ‘coringa’ dos times paulistas. Porém, em setembro deste ano, a Crefipar venceu licitação para administrar o local. A dona da empresa é a presidente do Palmeiras, Leila Pereira.

Com isso, quando não puder utilizar o Allianz Parque, o Verdão passou a ter o local como segunda casa. Apesar das portas não estarem fechadas para outros clubes, no momento não há tratativas para equipes profissionais masculinas além do Alviverde usarem a Arena Barueri. O São Paulo, por exemplo, não cogitou atuar no estádio.