PARIS: Neymar is poised to make his much-anticipated debut for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday when they travel to Guingamp in their second game of the Ligue 1 season.
The French Football Federation (FFF) finally received the necessary documents to register the Brazilian on Friday.
“Neymar’s contract will be ratified during the afternoon. He will be able to play on Sunday,” said Professional Football League (LFP) on Friday.
The world’s most expensive player should therefore run out into the mundane surroundings of the Stade du Roduourou — capacity just over 15,000 — in the tiny Brittany town of barely 7,000 people.
“Quite honestly it’s better if he’s there, much better,” said Guingamp coach Antoine Kombouare, a former PSG player and Paris coach from 2009 to 2011.
“For us it is an extra source of motivation. We know that by beating PSG with Neymar it would be even more momentous. If Neymar is there it is all the better for the spectacle, for the supporters and for those who want to see him play, but we will be ready with or without him.”
Neymar was unveiled to the PSG fans at the Parc des Princes last weekend, but was forced to watch from the stands as his new team-mates cruised to a low-key 2-0 win over newly-promoted Amiens in their Ligue 1 opener.
The 25-year-old Brazilian scored 105 goals in his four seasons at Barcelona, and his new team will be expecting him to score far more over the next few years.
Although the main goal for the capital club is to finally challenge for the Champions League crown, their first task this term will be to retake the Ligue 1 title from Monaco.
Coach Unai Emery has no doubt that his new arrival will help the team achieve those lofty goals.
“He’s a player who will help the club get to a higher level,” said the Spaniard.
“Without Neymar PSG is a great club, but with Neymar it’s a little better.
“The way we will adapt being close to a player like him... The other players here are also some great players, so together we can get better and grow.”
Once again, PSG’s main rivals for domestic honors appear to be Monaco, but they are in serious danger of losing rising star Kylian Mbappe to the capital outfit.
The 18-year-old, who is also wanted by Real Madrid, started in their opening 3-2 victory over Toulouse last weekend, as captain Radamel Falcao found the net.
Leonardo Jardim’s principality outfit will be expecting to make it two wins from two when they pay a visit to Dijon on Sunday.
Nice, who have the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Napoli on Wednesday, kick off the second weekend at home to promoted Troyes on Friday without their two star players, the injured Mario Balotelli and new signing Wesley Sneijder. Lyon’s youthful side started with a 4-0 thumping of Strasbourg last week and travel out to Brittany to take on Rennes on Friday.
Marseille visit Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes on Saturday looking to build on their 3-0 win over Dijon last time out, but with captain Dimitri Payet missing due to injury.
Neymar to make his PSG debut tomorrow
Neymar to make his PSG debut tomorrow
Smylie, Uihlein tied for lead entering first fourth round in LIV Golf history
- Smash GC’s Talor Gooch is third just 1 shot behind, the closest pursuer of 17 players within 6 shots of co-leaders
RIYADH: LIV Golf enters uncharted territory on Saturday at Roshn Group LIV Golf Riyadh.
The league’s first 72-hole regular-season tournament, part of the significant format adjustments made for the 2026 season, concludes with Saturday’s fourth round at Riyadh.
New LIV Golf player Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC and original league member Peter Uihlein of RangeGoats GC are tied for the lead at 16 under. Smash GC’s Talor Gooch is just a shot back, the closest pursuer of 17 players who are within six shots of the co-leaders.
In the team competition, Torque GC — fueled by the twin 7-under 65s by Mexican Olympic teammates Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz — are at 46 under, two shots ahead of Smash, who are seeking to deliver a victory to Gooch on his debut as captain. Ripper, eyeing next week’s home tournament at LIV Golf Adelaide, are another shot back.
Had the tournament been played under the old 54-hole format, Uihlein and Smylie would have had to settle things in a playoff on Friday. But now the leaders and contenders get 18 more holes to crown a champion.
“Yes, thanks for bringing that up,” laughed Uihlein, who has appeared in all 51 LIV Golf tournaments and is seeking his first league individual title.
“I feel like 72 holes fits me a little better. If you would have told me at the beginning of the week, hey, you’d be tied for the lead after 54 and you have a chance to win, that’s where you’d want to be. I’d take it. (I’m) looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.”
Smylie, 23, who is making his first LIV Golf start after joining the all-Australian Rippers last month, had never competed in the 54-hole format but is looking to send a message to his new competitors. He said he was in “total control” of his shots during Friday’s bogey-free 7-under 65.
“Without a doubt I want to prove my worth in this league, and I want to establish myself as one of the best guys in this league,” the left-hander said. “The best way to do that is by going out and making a statement this week.”
Ancer is among the group of players now getting a fourth round to chase a LIV Golf trophy instead of having to be satisfied with a high finish. The new Torque player won his first LIV Golf individual title two years ago in the 54-hole format while playing for Fireballs GC. He welcomes the opportunity to have an extra 18 holes to claim a second title.
“I feel like 54 holes was good enough to figure out who’s playing the best golf,” said Ancer, whose 65 was highlighted by a 50-foot-plus eagle putt.
“You just feel like it’s a little bit more of a sprint, have a little bit less time for you to make mistakes and come back from them. But then playing 72 holes, you feel like if you’re a steady player, that would maybe help you rise to the top of the leaderboard.”
Two of the steadiest LIV Golf players are Gooch and Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm, who have combined to win the last three season-long Individual Championships. They have each celebrated 13 trophies — individual and team successes — and are tied for the most in league history, remaining in contention for more hardware thanks to the additional fourth round.
Gooch, who follows the rule of 67 — everything takes care of itself by shooting 67 or better — shot his third consecutive 67 as he seeks a fifth individual tournament title.
Rahm shot his second 67 of the week and is tied for fourth with Ancer, Smash GC’s Jason Kokrak and 4Aces GC’s Thomas Detry, who, like Smylie, is making his league debut in Riyadh.
Despite increased winds and rainy weather on Friday, with players expecting the tougher conditions to impact scoring, the field shot its lowest average of the week, nearly 3.5 strokes under par during a lively third-round Moving Day.
Uihlein, who opened his round with four consecutive birdies en route to a 66, said: “It didn’t feel like it was easier than yesterday, but everyone went low.
“I’m expecting it to be a shootout, but we could come out here tomorrow and it’s blowing 15, 20 again, so you never know.”
