Neymar tops Twitter
NEW DElHI: Brazil superstar Neymar Junior was the most talked about player on Twitter globally while Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo was the most talked about player in India during the group stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018. With the group stage now over, micro-blogging website Twitter has compiled metrics and visualizations that illustrate how the conversation has unfolded on the platform since the mega carnival started. Neymar, the most mentioned player so far on Twitter, was followed by Argentina's lionel Messi and Ronaldo. Brazil's Philippe Coutinho, Spain's Diego Costa and Germany's Toni Cross complete the top six of the most mentioned player list. Apart from the players, the Group E tie between Brazil and Costa Rica saw the most conversation on Twitter during the Group Stage.
Marcelo to be fit for Mexico clash
SOCHI: Brazil have received a boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup pre-quarterfinal against Mexico with news that defender Marcelo is expected to play after overcoming a back problem. The Real Madrid left-back was forced off in the 10th minute of Brazil's 2-0 victory over Serbia on Wednesday after suffering a back spasm. Brazil team doctor Rodrigo lasmar said the 30-year-old is making encouraging progress as he undergoes daily physiotherapy at the team's Sochi training base. "We are going to observe him a little more to see how he is in the next 24 hours," lasmar told reporters on Friday. Monday's clash in Samara will be the fifth time that Brazil and Mexico have met in the World Cup finals. Brazil have won three of the teams' previous encounters and there has been one draw.
Spanish fan allowed to bring drum
MOSCOW: Veteran football fan Manuel Caceres Artesero, better known as Manolo "el del Bombo", which translates as Manolo The Bass Drummer, has been allowed to bring his bass drum, which he has been playing at Spain's matches for four decades, to Moscow's luzhniki Stadium for the FIFA World Cup Round-of-16 encounter between his country and Russia. The 69-year-old football fan had posted a call for help on his Twitter account, saying that Spain "needed its drum," and had also asked Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the Spanish King and the Prime Minister and "the whole of Spain" to help. Spanish leading sports media supported Manolo, spreading his call for help. Journalists from Spanish newspaper Marca contacted FIFA, and two hours later a FIFA representative assured them that everything would be all right. "Thank you, everyone, for your help! We did this! I'll keep you informed! Thank you, everyone!" Manolo posted on his Twitter account. Manolo, who has attended all of Spain's international matches since 1982, failed to play his bass drum during Spain's matches against Iran and Morocco.
Spain favourite to win WC: Rakitic
ROSHCHINO: Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic said on Friday that the Spanish football team was favourite to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Spain played to a 3-3 draw in their first Group B clash against Portugal then won against Iran 1-0 before securing a spot in the round of 16 with a 2-2 draw against Morocco. "To be honest, I see Spain on top of any other team. I think they are the main contenders, despite having had three difficult group matches," Rakitic said in a press conference ahead of Croatia's training session. Rakitic, 30, said his team could hopefully overpower Spain in their potential quarterfinal clash, but he stressed that they have one more match to go and they have to win it first. "For me, Croatia is above all. We have to defeat Denmark and they (Spain) must do the same versus Russia. Matches are going to be tough. Then I will be happy to take on Spain," he added. Croatia and Denmark are set to face off at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Sunday in the tournament's round of 16.
Peruvians cheer for national heroes
lIMA: Thousands of Peruvians welcomed their country's national team with cheers after it returned from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, in which it took part for the first time in 36 years, and called on coach Ricardo Gareca to stay with the team until Qatar 2022. With flags and drums, the tide of fans gathered at lima's Jorge Chavez airport on Thursday with the same enthusiasm and joy with which they sent the team off to take part in the World Cup nearly a month ago. Although the team was eliminated in the group stage, the fans wanted to thank the side for its hard work and performance at the tournament. Peru lost to France and Denmark but beat Australia, marking its first win in the tournament in 40 years.