As Sydney FC prepare to face Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening (AEST), Kosta Barbarouses remembers the first time he met Brazil icon Neymar.
Barbarouses shared the pitch with the superstar forward during New Zealand’s 3-0 Group C defeat to Brazil at 2012 London Olympics.
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At the time, Neymar was turning heads around the globe for homeland club Santos before his eventual move to La Liga giants Barcelona in 2013.
“We played Brazil at St. James’ Park in Newcastle,” Barbarouses recalled to Sydney FC.
“To come up against Neymar, Thiago Silva, I think Marquinhos was there as well… he gave me his shirt after the game too and signed it for me at the hotel. It’s a pretty good memory.”
.@SydneyFC striker @KostaBarb7 reveals he's met @neymarjr once before ahead of Tuesday's clash against @PSG_English while he also updates on a number of players who are in doubt with sickness for the showpiece match.#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #SYDvPSG pic.twitter.com/CBuSoJRAZ6
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) July 28, 2019
Amid heavy speculation the 27-year-old is set to return to Barcelona this transfer window, AS have reported that Neymar will take no part in the showpiece friendly against the Sky Blues in Jiangsu, having remained at the club’s training base in Shenzen.
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Live coverage of PSG v Sydney FC commences at 9:25pm AEST one beIN SPORTS 1. Click here to get beIN SPORTS.
Sydney stars struck down by illness
Several Sydney stars have been struggling with illness following their arrival in China on Saturday evening.
Captain Alex Wilkinson, left back Michael Zullo, defender Patrick Flottmann and midfielder Brandon O’Neill have all caught the bug.
Kick off in Tuesday night’s glamour friendly is 10:00pm AEST.
Morning walk for the lads to stretch after a long flight yesterday before this afternoon's training session at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre.#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #SYDvPSG pic.twitter.com/sm1py3s6zp
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) July 28, 2019