Rio 2016: Neymar steps down as Brazil captain after Olympic triumph

Neymar has announced he intends to step down as Brazil captain after guiding the country to the long-awaited Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016.

Appointed captain of the senior team by Dunga following the 2014 World Cup, Neymar also skippered the largely under-23 side at the Olympic Games on home soil.

The gold medal remained the only international honour evading Brazil, and the 24-year-old clinched it with the winning penalty in a 5-4 shootout victory over Germany.

Neymar s spot-kick sparked scenes of euphoria inside the famous Maracana, but it did not stop the forward revealing he no longer wanted the armband.

I do not take it as a burden, it is you [the media] who put it on me, Neymar said in an interview with SporTV.

Today I have become a champi…

More than 100 arrests follow Euro 2008 matches

Swiss police said on Saturday they made more than 100 arrests following Friday s Euro matches between Holland and France and Italy and Romania in Berne and Zurich.

Both matches drew tens of thousands of fans to the cities above and beyond those who had tickets and the ATS news agency said more than 100 people were detained in Berne across the evening as the Dutch sent France packing 4-1.

A Berne police spokesman said 158 people also had to be treated for knife wounds, one person suffered a broken jaw as trouble broke out among inebriated fans, some of whom had been taking drugs.

Some 150,000 people, including around 60,000 Dutch fans, poured into the fan zones in central Berne, according to municipal authorities.

Normally, the entire population of th…

Carragher says Southgate needs Euro 2024 win to be considered England great

Jamie Carragher believes Gareth Southgate needs to win the Euro 2024 final against Spain to be considered among England s most successful managers.

Southgate has led England to back-to-back European Championship finals, and they face Spain in Berlin on Sunday, targeting an end to their 58-year wait for an international honour.

In reaching the showpiece at this year s tournament, England have now made more major tournament finals in four attempts under Southgate (two), than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cups and Euros combined (one) before his tenure.

But for much of England s time in Germany, Southgate has come under fire for his defensive approach, though only Walter Winterbottom (383) and Alf Ramsey (224) have overseen more England goals…

Was Ronaldo really the best player in 2016-17? – The verdict in Opta stats

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Best FIFA Men s Player award on Monday, earning one of world football s most prestigious individual prizes after an incredible 2016-17 season.

Ronaldo s prowess in front of goal helped Madrid to FIFA Club World Cup, LaLiga and Champions League glory last season.

But do the stats back up his reaffirmed status as the world s best player?

With the help of Opta data, we compare his 2016-17 numbers with those of the men he beat to the award, Barcelona s Lionel Messi and his former team-mate Neymar, who left Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222million move in August, to find out.

 

 

52  It was Messi who was the top scorer of the trio last term, with his 54 superior to the 42 netted by Ronaldo an…

Wayne Bridge Refuses John Terry Handshake In 2010 (Video)

Wayne Bridge left Chelsea to join Manchester City in January 2009, after Chelsea captain John Terry reportedly had an affair with his partner.

When the two clubs met the following year, Bridge refused to shake Terry s hand.

https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1251198739252944902

 

Chiefs vs Raiders Sunday Night Football Picks and Predictions: Mahomes Keeps Streak Alive in Vegas

The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to get their groove back, and what better place than Sin City to find it. The Chiefs are slight road favorites visiting the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football in Week 10. 

Kansas City has won two straight and three of its last four but hasn’t done so in impressive fashion – and not nearly with enough oomph to get bettors over the hump, failing to cover the NFL betting spread in each of their last three outings. 

Dive into our free NFL picks and predictions for Chiefs at Raiders on November 14. 

NFL Best Bets and Player Props for Week 2: Adams Loves New Digs

With more information at our fingertips, Week 2 always gives bettors a great shot at beating prop markets.

This week, I’m targeting a Commanders receiver to pick up where he left off and Davante Adams to continue making magic with Derek Carr.

Best NFL Sack Prop Picks for Week 2: Garrett Takes Aim in Rivalry Match

You won’t find sack props as easily as the markets for skill position players, but several bigger books are starting to put out sack odds on the top pass rushers in the NFL.

That’s who I’m targetting with my favorite sack picks for this week as I bet on several All-Pro edge rushers while also backing young and hungry Aidan Hutchinson against a hurting Seahawks offensive line. Here are my favorite sack prop bets for Week 2 of the NFL season.

Saints vs Falcons Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 12: Atlanta Has No Answer for Hill

It’s Thanksgiving weekend and the NFC South picture is about as clear as it was in Week 1. Well, at least we know Carolina’s not winning it.

That “magic eye” picture of a division will start to come into focus following Week 12, with the Atlanta Falcons playing host to the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.

The NFL odds for this game aren’t helping with the uncertainty, with the spread jumping the fence in the first few days of action and eventually settling at a market consensus of Atlanta -1.

I dig into that tight spread as well as the Over/Under total for this NFC South showdown and give my best NFL picks for the Saints vs. Falcons on November 26.

Saints vs Falcons odds

Saint…

Super Bowl Predictions: George Kittle Longest Reception Over 20.5 Yards

George Kittle lost a lot of people’s money after making just two catches in the NFC title game. Regardless, he played nearly every snap on offense and his Super Bowl odds opened at a nine-week low.

With the indoor track boosting passing and efficiency combined with an officiating crew that throws fewer flags, Kittle is in line to have a bigger role this week. Even if the volume isn’t there, a big play or two is very probable for the tight end who led his position in yards per catch.

After taking a look at George Kittle odds, these are my favorite Super Bowl picks surrounding the San Francisco tight end come tonight.

For more Super Bowl predictions, be sure to check out our Super Bowl 58 prop picks and 49ers vs. Chiefs picks on Sunday, Fe…