<
>

Thomas Meunier on Neymar: 'I do not know how to stop' Brazil striker

Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier has said "I do not know how to stop" Neymar ahead of Friday's World Cup quarterfinal in Kazan.

Meunier, teammates with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, will likely be tasked with containing the Brazil striker and has told Globo Esporte that he does not know how to keep him in check.

"I do not know how to stop Neymar -- he is very unpredictable," Meunier admitted after setting up the late winner in a thrilling 3-2 round-of-16 victory against Japan in Rostov-on-Don on Monday. "He is probably the best player I have ever played alongside or against.

"I will do my best, and I know that we have a chance, but I also know that it will be very difficult to stop them -- not just Neymar. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Marcelo -- the whole team."

Neymar scored one and provided the other as Brazil muscled their way past Mexico to reach the quarterfinals. He has courted controversy with his on-pitch antics, but former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez has defended an "admirable and spectacular player" and friend.

"Everybody knows Neymar's class -- he is an admirable and spectacular player," Suarez said at a Uruguay news conference ahead of their game against France. "There will always be critics -- there are people who love him and people who do not like him."

Meanwhile, rumours of a summer move for Neymar from PSG to Real Madrid have taken a backseat, but former Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano has told Onda Cero that Los Blancos should sign Kylian Mbappe instead.

"Neymar to Real?" he said. "I would prefer that they go for Mbappe."