- Leo Messi mobbed after fans invade Argentina training pitch
- Brazil vs Croatia: Neymar looking to make Brazil proud
- Paul Scholes: Hodgson should put faith in Ross Barkley
Open training session sees Argentina suffer pitch invasion
Chaos reigned at the end of Argentina’s open training session yesterday after more than a dozen fans invaded the pitch.
The Guardian have reported how the security on hand could not stop the fans sprinting onto the pitch to get closer to their idols as they walked off the pitch at the Independencia Stadium in Belo Horizonte, with Leo Messi given an impromptu boot polish by one eager invader.
The Barcelona superstar, who is a favourite for the Golden Boot this summer, merely laughed and hugged the man, who was then dragged away by a member of the struggling security team.
Luckily, no player was abused or attacked by the spectators, who numbered around 10,000, with many of them fans of Argentina’s fierce rivals Brazil.
‘La Albiceleste‘ kick off their World Cup adventure on Sunday against tournament debutantes Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Brazil vs Croatia: Neymar excited to get the ball rolling
South American superstar Neymar has sounded the Brazilian battle-cry, with only hours remaining before his side take on Croatia in the 2014 World Cup opener in Sao Paulo.
Neymar, 22, is tipped to be one of the stars of the tournament, has spoken of his desire to fulfill the dreams of Brazilians everywhere, and win the famous trophy in their own back-yard.
Also see – Brazil vs Croatia: Why Neymar will start with a bang
Selecao boss Luis Filipe Scolari said last night that the World Cup is their’s for the taking, with his star striker echoing these sentiments wholeheartedly:
“As Mr Scolari has said, the time has arrived, that all Brazilians and I think the whole world was waiting for. And we the players hope that the last day goes by very quickly. I am anxious, of course.
“But also I’m extremely happy of being where I am today. So I really hope I can help my team in the best possible way to fulfil the dream of us players, Brazilians, to win the World Cup.”
Croatia will be no easy nut to crack, with the likes of Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic part of a strong first XI. Neymar’s future Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic will also be in the Croatian lineup, with Brazil facing a stern test of their abilities on the opening day.
Former England midfielder Paul Scholes calls for ‘new Rooney’ Ross Barkley to be given a chance
Paul Scholes has called for manager Roy Hodgson to give England’s youth a chance this summer, with the former Manchester United midfielder claiming the likes of Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling are able to give the Three Lions an genuine identity in South America.
Scholes, writing on his Paddy Power World Cup Blog, said that seeing Barkley against Ecuador reminded him of Wayne Rooney so much, that he actually had to look twice!
“In the first-half Ross went on a run and I thought, ‘Bloody hell, is that Rooney?’ Barkley made me think of Wayne at Euro 2004. I had to take a second look because I thought it was Wayne.”
Former England man Scholes wants England to go out and attack this summer, claiming that no-one will be impressed if Hodgson advocates negative football in order to advance:
“Now is a great chance for Roy Hodgson to give English football the identity we’ve lacked,” added the 39-year-old,
“Tell the world: this is how we play, attack! There is no point taking people like Raheem Sterling or Ross Barkley to Brazil ‘for the experience’. Play them.
“Some people might say it’s risky. But these players have the fitness and ability to get the ball back if they lose it (hopefully not in dangerous positions). You want them to attack and give the opposition problems.
“Roy Hodgson has little to lose by going for the jugular. Will we be satisfied if England scrape through to the quarter finals playing negative football?
“Let’s not do that and take responsibility for what happens if we go for it. Let these England players off the leash.”
What do you think? Should Hodgson give Barkley a run out against Italy?
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