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Neymar extends Santos deal as World Cup Dream Remains Firmly in Sight

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Neymar extends Santos deal as World Cup Dream Remains Firmly in Sight

Neymar has extended his stay with Santos as he intensifies his push for a return to the Brazil national team and a place at this summer’s World Cup, underlining his determination to finish his international career on a high.

The 33-year-old forward, who rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025, has not featured for five-time world champions Brazil since 2023, largely due to a prolonged battle with injuries. However, his renewed commitment to Santos signals a clear focus on fitness, form and one final run on the global stage.

Despite managing persistent pain for much of last season, Neymar played a decisive role in keeping Santos in Brazil’s top flight. His influence peaked when it mattered most, scoring five goals in the club’s final five matches to steer them away from relegation and reaffirm his enduring quality.

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Following the season, the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star underwent surgery on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus. The procedure was aimed at restoring full fitness and strengthening his case for inclusion in the plans of Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the World Cup.

Confirming his contract extension in a video shared on Santos’ social media platforms, Neymar spoke emotionally about his bond with the club. “Santos is my place, I’m at home,” he said, addressing supporters directly. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing.”

Ancelotti has previously made it clear that Neymar’s return to the Seleção will depend on his physical condition. Speaking in October, the Italian coach stressed that Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, who has netted 79 times for his country, must be fully fit to earn a recall.

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Neymar’s road back has been challenging. He spent a full year sidelined after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October 2023 and later saw a potential international comeback delayed again by a muscle injury, forcing him to withdraw from the squad after a 17-month absence.

Nevertheless, his resilience and recent progress have kept hope alive. With Brazil set to face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C at the World Cup, which kicks off on 11 June across Canada, Mexico and the United States, Neymar’s extended stay at Santos represents both a personal statement and a calculated step towards one last World Cup appearance.

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Cyclist killed at Worlds not found for 82 minutes

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Cyclist killed at Worlds not found for 82 minutes

An investigation into the death of Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has found she was not discovered for 82 minutes after crashing during the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.

The 18-year-old died after leaving the road in wet conditions during the junior road race and crashing into a wooded area near her hometown. According to the Zurich Public Prosecutors’ Office, the accident occurred out of sight of race officials, spectators, and support vehicles.

Investigators said Furrer lay hidden in undergrowth and was not visible from the road, which contributed to the delay in locating her. Her disappearance was not immediately reported, and she was only found more than an hour later before being airlifted to hospital, where she died from a head injury.

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Despite the circumstances, prosecutors concluded there was “no evidence of criminal conduct or negligence” by organisers. The race had been overseen by a local committee alongside the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

At the time of the incident, neither GPS tracking nor race radios were permitted in the World Championships—unlike in events such as the Tour de France—a factor that may have delayed the response. Following the tragedy, the UCI introduced GPS tracking for the 2025 championships in Rwanda to monitor riders’ locations in real time.

Cyclists’ union representatives have argued that such safety measures should have been implemented earlier to prevent similar incidents.

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The findings come shortly after another serious crash involving British rider Tom Pidcock at the Volta a Catalunya, where he fell into a ravine unnoticed by organisers but was able to communicate with his team via radio.

In tribute, the UCI retired Furrer’s race number—84—from women’s junior road races, honouring her memory as calls continue for improved safety protocols in the sport.

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Ghana sack manager Addo Just 72 days before World Cup

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Ghana sack manager Addo Just 72 days before World Cup

Ghana Football Association has dismissed head coach Otto Addo with just 72 days remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Addo’s departure follows a poor run of results, including a 2-1 defeat to Germany in Stuttgart and a heavy 5-1 loss against Austria in Vienna. The Ghana national football team have now lost their last four matches.

Despite boasting attacking talent such as Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, Ghana also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under Addo’s leadership.

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In a statement, the Ghana Football Association confirmed it had “parted ways” with Addo with immediate effect, adding that a new technical direction for the team would be announced soon.

Addo, 50, was born in Germany and spent his entire playing career there, earning 15 caps for Ghana. He had been in his second spell as head coach since March 2024.

The upcoming World Cup—set to be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico—will run from 11 June to 19 July.

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Ghana’s campaign is scheduled to begin against Panama on 18 June, followed by group matches against England and Croatia.

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Scott Brown Leaves Ayr United Role by Mutual Consent

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Scott Brown Leaves Ayr United Role by Mutual Consent

Scott Brown has stepped down as manager of Ayr United by mutual consent, the Scottish Championship side has confirmed.

The 40-year-old departs Somerset Park alongside assistant Steven Whittaker following a difficult run of nine matches without a win.

Ayr’s form has seen them drop to sixth place in the Scottish Championship after a 3-0 defeat to Raith Rovers, a result that allowed their opponents to overtake them in the standings. The team now sits outside the promotion play-off positions, trailing Dunfermline Athletic by five points, with their rivals also holding a game in hand.

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Brown, a former Celtic and Scotland national team midfielder, took charge of Ayr in January 2024. He initially guided the club away from relegation danger before achieving a third-place finish in his first full season. However, recent results have reversed that progress.

Before joining Ayr, Brown began his coaching career at Aberdeen as a player-coach and later managed Fleetwood Town. He was dismissed from Fleetwood in September 2023 after a poor run of results in his second season.

In the interim, training duties at Ayr United have been overseen by veteran winger Jamie Murphy, along with first-team coach Tommy Tait and goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins, as the club prepares to announce a temporary managerial arrangement.

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