Brazil Names Roster for September Friendly at Red Bull Arena

The Brazilian Football Confederation has announced the roster for the Brazil Men's National Team International Friendlies in September, including the September 5 match against Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena.

The roster features 11 players that were part of Brazil's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, including Neymar Jr, Oscar and David Luis. Kaka, who joined MLS' Orlando City SC ahead of the 2015 season, was also named to the roster. Kaka has 89 appearances for Brazil, including three World Cups. Kaka will make two trips to Red Bull Arena in September, as the Red Bulls host Orlando City SC on Friday, September 25. Brazil, the only nation to win the FIFA World Cup a total of five times, are coached by Dunga and finished in fourth place in last year's World Cup at home in Brazil.  The roster also represents some of the biggest clubs in the world, including FC Barcelona (Dani Alves, Neymar), Manchester City (Fernandinho), Real Madrid (Danilo), Chelsea FC (Ramires, Oscar, Willian) and FC Bayern Munich (Douglas Costa). Tickets are available by visiting Ticketmaster.com as well as calling the New York Red Bulls ticketing line at 1-877-727-6223. Fans can also purchase a Joga Bonito package, which offers fans a chance to see Kaka twice at Red Bull Arena. The package includes a ticket to the Brazil-Costa Rica match, as well as a seat when the Red Bulls host Orlando City in an important game down the final stretch of the regular season.  Brazil Roster Player Club Jefferson Botafogo (Brazil) Marcelo Grohe Grêmio (Brazil) Alisson Internacional (Brazil) David Luiz Paris Saint-Germain (France) Marquinhos Paris Saint-Germain (France) Miranda Inter Milan (Italy) Gabriel Paulista Arsenal (England) Daniel Alves Barcelona (Spain) Luis Filipe Atletico Madrid (Spain) Danilo Real Madrid (Spain) Douglas Santos Atlético Mineiro (Brazil) Luis Gustavo VFL Wolfsburg (Germany) Fernandinho Manchester City (England) Elias Corinthians (Brazil) Ramires Chelsea FC (England) Oscar Chelsea FC (England) Roberto Firmino Liverpool (England) Willian Chelsea FC (England) Kaka Orlando City SC (MLS) Lucas Lima Santos (Brazil) Neymar Junior Barcelona (Spain) Lucas Moura Paris Saint-Germain (France)  Hulk Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia) Douglas Costa FC Bayern Munich (Germany)

Why £22m Barcelona forward Pedro could be Manchester United’s galactico signing

Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez continues to be linked with a transfer to Manchester United, and with each passing day, the move appears to be increasingly likely.

ESPN FC reported on Thursday that, despite his winner against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, his feelings on his Camp Nou future remain unaltered; he wants regular football, and the Red Devils are ready to meet these demands.

What’s more, Louis van Gaal, the United manager, remained typically coy on a move for the 27-year-old, but hinted that negotiations could be taking place.

“You have to ask Pedro, not me. My answer is it’s a process, it’s a club, it’s a player, and we are there also,” he began, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“I don’t mention anything until he has signed. When he has signed I come to you and say ‘hey, Pedro is here’. That is still not the case. We shall wait and see.”

Pedro could be the missing piece of the puzzle that United need to beat reigning champions Chelsea, as well as rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, to the Premier League title.

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In terms of how Pedro could fit into van Gaal’s line up, while Angel Di Maria sealed a £44.3m move to Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of August, there still remains plenty of competition for places on the flanks from Ashley Young, Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata.

However, in United’s opening game of the season Depay started in the No.10 position behind Wayne Rooney, while Mata was handed a start on the right wing.

It will likely be a head-to-head battle for a position between Pedro and Young – who signed a new contract that will keep him in Manchester until June 2018 – and the Spain international will surely become first-choice upon his arrival.

Pedro saw his playing time limited last season, as Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi quickly became Luis Enrique’s first-choice trio in attack, and he looks set to suffer the same misfortune if he continues his career with Barca this term.

Nonetheless, despite his limited appearances, six goals and six assists in just 1531 minutes of action – the lowest of any regular senior player for the Catalan giants – was an excellent return from the 28-year-old in the previous campaign.

His explosive pace and creativity have regularly been on show in pre-season, and his clinical match-winning finishing was on show earlier this week in the Super Cup.

His performances this summer have suggested that he has little desire to sulk over his limited playing time at the Camp Nou.

The Daily Mail report that Pedro has a £22m release-clause, and compared to the £59.7m [via BBC Sport] shelled out for Di Maria – who possessed all the credentials to become their galactico a year ago – Pedro could prove a steal this summer.

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Van Gaal’s second summer window of heavy spending implies that the former Netherlands manager is concerned that his team is lacking that spark required to compete on the domestic and European stage.

Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona have Lionel Messi, Chelsea have Eden Hazard, Manchester City have Sergio Aguero, Arsenal have Alexis Sanchez; but who do Manchester United have?

At the moment they have no one to fill that sparkless void.

The Dutchman has previously voiced his frustration at not having a ‘galactico’ at United.

“We don’t have a good vision. We can use much more creativity,” he began, as quoted by The Guardian.

He even compared Young to Neymar to illustrate his views.

“Young had a fantastic season but he is not a Neymar and we have to compete with that kind of class.

“I’m thinking at that time, they have Hazard, he can always make goals, he can always make an action and decide a goal. Manchester City have Aguero, it’s the same type. Barcelona has Messi, Neymar and Suárez. We as Manchester United have to compete with these clubs. So we have to look also for that kind of players.”

Despite having signed Bayern Munich legend and World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, perhaps it is Pedro who is capable of satisfying van Gaal’s need for a player with the fresh hunger required to reassert the Red Devils’ place in the Champions League.

A player with a point to prove.

Messi, Suarez, Neymar trident to strengthen in second Barcelona season

Luis Enrique is very fortunate to have arguably the most spectacular attacking trident in over 115 years of Barcelona history at his disposal. While the Catalans' much-improved defensive stability also played a considerable part, it is clear that the historical Champions League, Liga and Copa del Rey treble achieved last season would have been impossible without difference-makers Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Undoubtedly, Messi is the most talented footballer to ever wear the Barcelona shirt. His exquisite technique, mesmerising dribbling skills, unique peripheral vision when looking for passing options and cold-blooded attitude in front of goal make him the player every football fan on the planet dreams of having in their team.

The quadruple Ballon d'Or winner is, deservedly, the main reference up front at Barcelona. Having the freedom to roam around the team's final third in whichever way he sees fit enables him to identify, then exploit, spaces with ease, leaving rivals wondering if there is any point in spending countless hours in training trying to predict the diminutive Argentinean's movements.

One of the club's older players, the 28-year-old is handed the responsibility to lead his side to victory every time he steps onto the pitch. Some may argue this is thanks to the stability that comes from having played under the same footballing philosophy since joining La Masia back in 2000; others will say performing in front of the more supportive, loving Catalan fan base is also a factor.

However, the main reason why Messi excels at Barcelona week in, week out is his teammates' attitudes toward him. Having world-class stars such as Andres Iniesta, Neymar and Suarez all willing to put their egos aside and adapt their individual game to enhance their leader's impact makes all the difference.

While in a meet and greet session in Los Angeles during their preseason tour of the USA, a young fan approached Suarez and, while asking for an autograph, complimented him with a heartfelt "You are the best" message. The Uruguayan international, without hesitation, replied: "I'm not. Do you know who the best player is?" The smiles that followed once the kid replied "Yes, Messi" are a clear indication of the way everybody at the Camp Nou understands their role within the team.

Yet Messi's position at the very top of Barcelona's hierarchy certainly doesn't mean that his teammates simply sit back, relax and clap while the Rosario-born genius is at work. If the No. 10 is the hot favourite to win a record fifth Ballon d'Or it is precisely thanks to the invaluable support he continuously receives from those around him.

Suarez was, undoubtedly, the key man at Liverpool before completing his move to the Camp Nou. His impressive 31 goals in 33 league appearances for the Merseysiders not only granted him recognition as the English Premier League's Player of the Year in the 2013-14 season, but also enabled him to share the European Golden Boot trophy with Cristiano Ronaldo. His ability to occupy a rival's defence with his astute movement on and off the ball was the main reason why Barcelona were prepared to invest a massive €81 million to sign him.

Neymar already had 100 goals and a South American Player of the Year award for Santos by the time he turned 20. Unsurprisingly, the Brazilian teenager received numerous offers from virtually every major club on the planet as a result and the gifted forward could have very easily demanded No. 1 status from any prospective employers.

However, both Suarez and Neymar opted to join Barcelona despite being fully aware that Messi would retain his status as the club's superstar until the day he decides to retire.

Contrary to what many predicted, both South American heavyweights have in fact seen their careers boosted by their move to the Camp Nou.

Messi has been heavily involved in helping both Suarez and Neymar adapt to life in Catalunya at both professional and personal level. The atmosphere in the dressing room has certainly played a part, but the countless hours of quality time shared by players' families away from the spotlight has also created a bond is obvious at all times.

While Luis Enrique is not likely to admit it publicly, everyone is fully aware that Barcelona lack that crucial edge whenever Neymar and, especially, Messi are not included in the starting XI. Despite being the stand-out performer in the club's preseason games so far, Suarez has looked largely isolated upfront and is secretly counting the seconds until the MSN trident is reunited.

Thanks to the goals of Messi (58), Suarez (25) and Neymar (39), the Catalans' lethal frontline racked up a record 122 between them in the 2014-15 campaign, with a mind-blowing 80 of those coming after the winter break.

Considering the strong foundation which the three South American stars have built their professional and personal relationship upon, their incredibly successful partnership can only strengthen in their second season together at the Camp Nou. As long as they can remain healthy, humble and motivated, there is reason to believe the Catalans could very well be celebrating their second sextuple after the final whistle of the Club World Cup final in Japan on Dec. 20.

Messi, Mascherano, Alves and Neymar return to training

The South American foursome complete morning physicals followed by an afternoon workout

Lionel Messi,  Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Neymar Jr completed their first day of the 2015/16 preseason this afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The four players trained under the orders of assistant coaches Rafel Pol and Edu Pons.

All four players played in the Copa América immediately following Barça’s completion of last season’s historic Treble and were therefore left off the squad for the American Tour in order to get some much needed rest.

Only the two Brazilian players Alves and Neymar were scheduled to rejoin the team on Thursday, but the Argentinians Messi and Mascherano decided to come back before the 3 August return date they had originally planned on.

After their morning medicals, when they were also joined by goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, the South American foursome officially commenced preparations for the 2015/16 season.

They’ll train with the rest of the squad for the first time on Friday, when the full team is scheduled for a double session at 9.30am and 6.30pm CET. The 24 players who made the US trip had the day off on Thursday.