Neymar breaks out of Messi�s shadow

Unprecedented security for Madrid-Barca El Clasico

AFP, MADRID: During Brazilian star Neymar’s two-and-a-half year spell at Barcelona, there has been one continuous soundbite from the softly-spoken 23-year-old: “I’m here to learn from the best”. Meanwhile, an unprecedented series of security measures will be put in place for Saturday’s La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona in response to the attacks that killed 129 people in Paris last week.
The exact number of security personnel will be ironed out in a meeting on Thursday between representatives of both clubs, police and local and national government.
“Security will be greatly reinforced. There will be a lot of security personnel to control not only the access to the stadium, but also the outskirts and the transport that will bring fans to the stadium,” said Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz.
Spain’s anti-violence commission met with political, police and sporting authorities on Wednesday and declared the match as “high risk”, which is customary for the biggest games in La Liga, especially those between eternal rivals Madrid and Barca. However, the events in Paris, allied to a terror threat level of four out of a maximum five in Spain, means that the security measures have “no precedent for the celebration of sporting events,” according to Francisco Martinez Vazquez, secretary of state for security.
No official figures have yet been released, but according to reports in the Spanish media, there will be a triple ring of security around Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium with over 1,500 police, who will be armed with horses, dogs and metal detectors. The “best” he consistently cites is teammate and four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. The two share a telepathic relationship on the field and, along with Uruguayan Luis Suarez, form one of the most lethal strike forces world football has ever seen.
“To play beside the best is very easy,” Neymar said during Barca’s treble-winning campaign last season. Yet, whilst Messi has been sidelined for the past two months by knee ligament damage, it is Neymar that has carried the European champions to an unexpected three-point lead in La Liga heading into Saturday’s huge clash away at Real Madrid.
Given his form in recent months, is there much for Neymar the apprentice to learn from his master Messi? And, with the latter set to return this weekend, will Neymar be happy to hand over the reigns once more to the Argentine?
Initial impressions are that he will. Primarily because Neymar, Messi and Suarez share an equally strong relationship off the field as they do in tearing opponents to shreds on it. Their social media pages spill over with mutual admiration, whilst Suarez and Neymar have been quick to shout down any suggestions their form has meant Messi’s absence has been forgotten.
“People remember him just as well because he is the best player in the world,” said Suarez after a recent victory over Getafe. Yet, Neymar’s trajectory suggests he will be the one to finally break Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s eight-year reign as the world’s two best players.
In his first season at Barca, Neymar netted just nine league goals. In 10 games this campaign he already has 11 to lead Ronaldo and Messi as the league’s top scorer. The signs of improvement were clear to see last season. Neymar struck 39 times in 51 games, including becoming the first man to net in both legs of the Champions League quarter and semi-finals, as well as the final.
This season he has gone to a new level. “Since the start of the season he has been electric,” added Enrique. “Neymar has reached a point of maturity. He’s in superlative form, nearly at the level of the two footballers who top them all,” said Argentina boss Gerardo Martino, who was in charge of Neymar during his first season at Barca.

Neymar breaks out of Messi�s shadow

Unprecedented security for Madrid-Barca El Clasico

AFP, MADRID: During Brazilian star Neymars two-and-a-half year spell at Barcelona, there has been one continuous soundbite from the softly-spoken 23-year-old: Im here to learn from the best. Meanwhile, an unprecedented series of security measures will be put in place for Saturdays La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona in response to the attacks that killed 129 people in Paris last week. The exact number of security personnel will be ironed out in a meeting on Thursday between representatives of both clubs, police and local and national government. Security will be greatly reinforced. There will be a lot of security personnel to control not only the access to the stadium, but also the outskirts and the transport that will bring fans to the stadium, said Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz. Spains anti-violence commission met with political, police and sporting authorities on Wednesday and declared the match as high risk, which is customary for the biggest games in La Liga, especially those between eternal rivals Madrid and Barca. However, the events in Paris, allied to a terror threat level of four out of a maximum five in Spain, means that the security measures have no precedent for the celebration of sporting events, according to Francisco Martinez Vazquez, secretary of state for security. No official figures have yet been released, but according to reports in the Spanish media, there will be a triple ring of security around Madrids Santiago Bernabeu stadium with over 1,500 police, who will be armed with horses, dogs and metal detectors. The best he consistently cites is teammate and four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. The two share a telepathic relationship on the field and, along with Uruguayan Luis Suarez, form one of the most lethal strike forces world football has ever seen. To play beside the best is very easy, Neymar said during Barcas treble-winning campaign last season. Yet, whilst Messi has been sidelined for the past two months by knee ligament damage, it is Neymar that has carried the European champions to an unexpected three-point lead in La Liga heading into Saturdays huge clash away at Real Madrid. Given his form in recent months, is there much for Neymar the apprentice to learn from his master Messi? And, with the latter set to return this weekend, will Neymar be happy to hand over the reigns once more to the Argentine? Initial impressions are that he will. Primarily because Neymar, Messi and Suarez share an equally strong relationship off the field as they do in tearing opponents to shreds on it. Their social media pages spill over with mutual admiration, whilst Suarez and Neymar have been quick to shout down any suggestions their form has meant Messis absence has been forgotten. People remember him just as well because he is the best player in the world, said Suarez after a recent victory over Getafe. Yet, Neymars trajectory suggests he will be the one to finally break Messi and Cristiano Ronaldos eight-year reign as the worlds two best players. In his first season at Barca, Neymar netted just nine league goals. In 10 games this campaign he already has 11 to lead Ronaldo and Messi as the leagues top scorer. The signs of improvement were clear to see last season. Neymar struck 39 times in 51 games, including becoming the first man to net in both legs of the Champions League quarter and semi-finals, as well as the final. This season he has gone to a new level. Since the start of the season he has been electric, added Enrique. Neymar has reached a point of maturity. Hes in superlative form, nearly at the level of the two footballers who top them all, said Argentina boss Gerardo Martino, who was in charge of Neymar during his first season at Barca.