Think about 2022, says Rivaldo to Brazil

Brazil forward Neymar may have committed his future to French club Paris Saint-Germain but the Brazilian is likely to switch to Spain ‘sooner rather than later’ according to former Brazil player Rivaldo.

The talks of Neymar’s move to Real Madrid died down after Real Madrid had released a statement clarifying that the Brazilian was not in their plans. Neymar’s World Cup performances might not have helped after he came under intense criticism from fans and pundits alike.

Neymar himself pledged to remain at PSG amid transfer speculations. Rivaldo said that while Neymar looks likely to stay, anything is possible before the transfer window closes.

“It seems probable that Neymar will stay in France this season but in football you never know what could happen the next day. Everything is on the table until the transfer window closes,” Rivaldo said in a talk with Betfair.

“For now, I must believe in his own words about staying at PSG, but from what I've heard, he will end up - sooner or later - at Real Madrid.”

Barcelona signed young Brazilian players Malcom and Arthur. Rivaldo believed that the two stars can make an impact at the Camp Nou.

“Barcelona have signed Malcom and Arthur and both look capable of being solid investments.

“They are young, skilled players. For that reason, the club can benefit from them in two different ways - on the pitch playing or as a future transfer for another club.

“It's been important for teams to sign talented youngsters to provide them with that future. If they fail to claim a first team place, they can be still be sold to other clubs at a profit as they are still young, but I'm convinced that both have the quality to make an impact at Barca over the next few years," Rivaldo concluded.

Didier Deschamps proclaimed France’s second World Cup triumph was “just as beautiful” as their first after leading them to glory again 20 years on, but Croatia defender Dejan Lovren said that Deschamps' team "did not play football."

"I'm disappointed because we lost the game, we played much, much better football than them, but on the other hand I'm proud of this team and what we have achieved," Lovren said.

"We played beautiful football again. France were one of the favourites to win the World Cup and they did it. I think we were better. They did it another way. They didn't play football, they waited for their chances and they scored. They had their own tactic and you need to respect that. They played the tournament like that, every game, but when you look at all the countries behind us, we're second.” he added.

"There's nothing to talk about now. It's difficult to describe. Maybe after a week or two, a couple of months... right now, it's difficult. Some moments I feel sad, some moments I'm happy. Overall, I'm proud."

Ivan Perisic conceded the first-half penalty after referee Nestor Pitana penalised him for handball following a VAR review.

"I was sure he would not give the pen," said the Liverpool centre-back. "From my point of view, he [Perisic] could not react.

"It was a critical moment, we came back at 1-1, and then this penalty and then 3-1, 4-1, but even then we didn't stop playing football, we still believed, we gave everything, and this is why people are proud now in Croatia."

Didier Deschamps' side had claimed a 1-0 over Belgium in the semifinals with a defensive masterclass which left Belgium star Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois deeply unimpressed with what he felt were overly cagey tactics by France in the semi-final, and now Lovren also felt the frustration of coming up against Deschamps's style. Not always the most entertaining, however, in the end, French squad just had too much talent at its disposal to get the job done.

Can Croatia cross one final hurdle come Sunday night and become the ninth nation to win the World Cup? Standing in their way are France, whose sole ambition will be to claim that coveted piece of glory for the second time at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

As an independent nation, Croatia might not have a rich history as far as their participation in the biggest show on Earth is concerned but since their World Cup debut in 1998, eight years after being liberated from Yugoslavia, it has been a spectacular journey for them.

Coincidentally, it was also the year that France became the seventh nation to win the World Cup, which was on their home soil, by defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

More interestingly, it was France who shattered Croatia's dreams by defeating their first 'golden generation' in the semifinal of that tournament 2-1, thanks to two quick blows from Les Bleus defender Lilian Thuram after Croatia's Davor Suker had scored in the 46th minute.

Even in that defeat, Croatia became only the second team after Portugal to have the best finish as debutants. They were placed third following a 2-1 win over Holland in the position deciding game, where Suker scored his sixth goal to win the Golden Boot.

If that was a big statement by an up and coming footballing nation, then the exploits of their next generation, now marshalled by Luka Modric, is no less spectacular as they have reached the finals despite a below-par qualifying campaign.

Croatia launched their campaign in Russia with a 2-0 win against Nigeria before pulling off a magnificent 3-0 win against two-time winners Argentina. They beat Iceland in the last group league game to move into the round of 16 with the maximum number of points.

And in the last three knockout games, where they had to battle it out beyond regulation time, Croatia showed tenacity and the will to fight till the end.

Croatia's round of 16 game against Denmark was a classic example of their never-say-die attitude. After conceding an early goal, they equalised and took the game to extra time, where Modric missed a penalty. However, the Real Madrid midfielder showed courage and stepped up in the shootout to convert his spot kick.

In the quarterfinal against hosts Russia, which they won in the shootout after a 2-2 draw, they faced a similar scenario. This was also the case in the semifinal against England before Mario Mandzukic hit the winner in the 109th minute.

The Juventus forward might not be as prolific as Suker was on the big stage but he has the knack of scoring goals from out of nowhere. Croatia actually have individual winners in Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic, the Inter Milan forward who has been in fine form.

Croatia's last three games might have started slowly but gradually picked up with the progression of the game, which is a hallmark of a good team.

They also showed how athletically fit they are as they had to play for 120 minutes in all three previous games.

Against England at Saint Petersburg, many thought it would be impossible for them to survive if the game went beyond regulation time. Surprisingly though, it was England who slowed down as the game progressed. In addition, when the Turkish referee blew the final whistle, Croatia were heading for another crack at the goal.

France midfielder Paul Pogba previously said that he wants to earn his own star on the shirt on Sunday. However, the world will not be surprised to a see the birth of a new star.

Belgium finished third in the World Cup, their best-ever performance, when they beat England 2-0 with an early Thomas Meunier goal and a breakaway finished by Eden Hazard in Saturday's playoff between the losing semi-finalists.

Meunier finished off a devastating move when he turned in Nacer Chadli's low cross at the far post in the fourth minute after Romelu Lukaku's pass sliced open the English defence.

Belgium, who beat England 1-0 in a group match in the tournament, were more dangerous throughout a lively first half. But England improved after the break and nearly equalised when Eric Dier got clear and chipped over Thibaut Courtois, only for Toby Alderweireld to make a sliding clearance off the line.

Belgium continued to threaten on the break and finished off the game when Kevin de Bruyne set Hazard clear and he swept his shot past Jordan Pickford.

Brazilian legend Rivaldo suspects that Cristiano Ronaldo was "fooled by the big contract in Saudi Arabia" and advises the Portuguese megastar to "return to Real Madrid to finish his career".

Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi club Al Nassr on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, with a contract that has been estimated by media to be worth more than approx. USD 220 million.  

Despite the riches and reception Ronaldo had received in his new club, Rivaldo further said that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner "may be going through a phase of some disappointment and even reflection" after his first season with Al Nassr, who occupy second place in the Saudi Pro League behind Al-Ittihad.   

"I understand that sometimes the players are fooled by the big contract they sign in Saudi Arabia," said Rivaldo, as quoted by Diario AS.

"But then life there is further away and your football may not always be as easy as expected.

"So, maybe the money he is receiving makes up for the not-so-happy life he is living at the moment," said Rivaldo, a member of the 2002 World Cup-winning team.  

Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia with a vast collection of club honours after a glittering spell at Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2009-18 where he won two LaLiga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups. He also claimed two Serie A titles and a Copa Italia trophy in three years at Juventus before rejoining United with whom he had bagged three Premier League crowns, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and Club World Cup.

The former Barcelona No. 10 reckons that if Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid to finish his career, it "would be good for him and for football".