DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Messi still has the skills to help Argentina win World Cup, says Pochettino
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Daniel Wiessner | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group C - Poland v Argentina - Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar - November 30, 2022 An Argentina inside the stadium points to a picture of Argentina's Argentina Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi on their shirt REUTERS/Pedro NunesNov 30 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi may be making his last World Cup appearance in Qatar but the talismanic forward is still capable of spurring Argentina to a third World Cup title, his compatriot and former Paris St Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Pochettino, who is well aware of Messi's game-changing abilities having worked with the 35-year-old last season, said he was still the best player in the world. He's the best player in the world," Pochettino, 50, told Argentine newspaper Ole. "Messi has the role today that can give Argentina the World Cup. After their setback against Saudi Arabia and a crucial win over Mexico, Argentina will play their final group game against Poland on Wednesday.

☆ Argentina outclass Poland despite Messi penalty miss to advance
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Despite the miss, Messi ran the show for Argentina in a match where the two skippers represented Barcelona's past and present. It's a dream come true," Mac Allister told reporters. But Argentina got what they wanted -- leapfrogging Poland to take top spot in the group and avoid an early knockout fixture against the mighty France. Poland, meanwhile, will be relieved to reach the last-16 for the first time since 1986. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Doha, Additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Neymar: what can we expect from Brazil forward at World Cup 2022?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 24 (Reuters) - Brazil kick off their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when they play Serbia in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday with all eyes on Neymar who could be playing in his last finals. MORE HEARTBREAK IN RIOHaving become a household name after his move to Barcelona, a lot was expected from Neymar who spearheaded Brazil's attack at the 2014 World Cup on home soil, but the event would end in tears for the talismanic player. Neymar suffered a sprained right ankle that affected the fifth metatarsal in his foot and he was never fully fit during the World Cup in Russia, as Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Belgium. Criticised for his antics off and on the pitch in the past, fans were surprised by a seemingly different Neymar ahead of the Qatar World Cup thanks to his physical and mental preparation. A trophy-laden club career apart, delivering Brazil's first World Cup since 2002 will go a long way in helping Neymar cement his place among the game's modern greats.

☆ Mbappe has to understand Messi and Neymar are bigger than him, says Alves
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 24 (Reuters) - France striker Kylian Mbappe is yet to understand that his Paris St Germain team mates Lionel Messi and Neymar are bigger players than him, Brazil defender Dani Alves said, as he urged the 23-year-old to make the most of their time together. Alves shared a dressing room at PSG with compatriot Neymar and a newly-arrived Mbappe between 2017 and 2019 and also played alongside Messi at Barcelona in a trophy-laden eight-year spell. Galtier said last month PSG had changed their system to test how their attacking trio of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar could work more effectively. "Neymar and Messi are unique: they see and do things nobody else sees or can do. Alves, who now plays for Pumas UNAM, said Mbappe should take advantage of playing with Messi and Neymar.

LUSAIL, Qatar, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Brazilian striker Neymar should be fine to continue in the World Cup despite limping off with a swollen ankle during his team's 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday, coach Tite said. "We are confident that Neymar will continue playing, he will continue playing in the World Cup," Tite told reporters, confessing that he was initially unaware of his striker's injury. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Brazil would wait 24-48 hours before assessing Neymar's injury. Later, however, he appeared to be in tears as he left the pitch with a visibly swollen ankle. That was reminiscent of the back injury which put Neymar out of the World Cup on home soil in 2014.

☆ Richarlison turns on style as silky Brazil see off Serbia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was his ninth goal for Brazil in seven games in 2022 as Brazil leapfrogged Switzerland, who are second in the group after they beat Cameroon 1-0. Tite's decision to go with four forwards - Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Raphinha and Richarlison - in his attacking lineup paid off handsomely as the South Americans dominated the match and made Serbia work hard every time they went forward. Serbia had been sweating over the fitness of their all-time top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic but coach Dragan Stojkovic named him in the starting lineup. The second half was one-way traffic as Brazil shifted through the gears, Richarlison and Neymar wasting gilt-edged chances inside the box and Alex Sandro and Casemiro sending long-range efforts against the woodwork. An almost perfect night for Brazil was, however, soured when Neymar came off in the 80th minute with what looked like an ankle injury after a crunching tackle from Nikola Milenkovic.

☆ Messi does light training away from Argentina team
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi did light training away from his Argentina team mates on Saturday, triggering speculation among some fans that he may be nursing an injury three days ahead of his team's World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia. But Argentinian media said the 35-year-old captain, who is competing in his fifth and last World Cup, was being kept apart as a "precautionary" measure due to muscle fatigue. Messi, whose team are among the favourites in Qatar to lift the one major trophy that has eluded his brilliant career, also stayed away from main training at the Qatar University on Friday, remaining in the gym with some other players. Messi missed a Paris St Germain game earlier this month due to an inflamed Achilles tendon. But Argentinian media said there was no real doubt that he would miss the Saudi Arabia game.

☆ Brazil's Guimaraes and Telles suffer injury scares in training
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 25-year old Guimaraes, who was celebrating his birthday, left the practice field for several minutes to receive medical attention after forward Rodrygo stepped on his right foot. Telles received a rough tackle from behind by Neymar and also needed medical assistance. Brazil coach Tite ordered the practice match to stop for a few moments, before Telles returned to the action. Brazil's technical staff stressed that they wanted to assess the physical condition of the players when they reported for international duty on Monday. Brazil begin their World Cup Group G campaign against Serbia on Nov. 24 before facing Switzerland and Cameroon.

☆ Spain at the 2022 World Cup: who is in Luis Enrique's 26-man squad?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Spain are looking to win their second World Cup title at the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournament in Qatar. WHO IS IN SPAIN'S WORLD CUP 2022 SQUAD? * Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea). * Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid). * Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).

☆ Argentina at the 2022 World Cup: who is in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

* Teams will be able to select up to 26 players for this year's World Cup after FIFA increased the maximum limit for squads by three in June, citing the unusual timing of the tournament as well as the impact of COVID-19. Who is in Argentina's World Cup 2022 squad? * Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, 18, who has made seven appearances for the club this season, misses out. What was Argentina's squad at the 2018 World Cup? * Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City).

☆ Brazil at the 2022 World Cup: who is in Tite's 26-man squad?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Brazil are looking to win a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 in Qatar tournament in Qatar. Who is in Brazil's World Cup 2022 squad? * Brazil will meet Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.What was Brazil's squad at the 2018 World Cup? Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain), Miranda (Inter Milan), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Fagner (Corinthians), Pedro Geromel (Gremio), Danilo (Manchester City). Forwards: Neymar (Paris St Germain), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk).

☆ Neymar arrives late for Brazil training due to flight delay
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TURIN, Italy, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Neymar and Marquinhos arrived late for the first day of World Cup training on Monday due to problems with their flight from Paris to Turin where Brazil are holding a five-day camp before flying to Doha. All 26 players in the squad were due to report on Monday morning to the Juventus training facility but Neymar and Marquinhos, who play for Paris St Germain, were delayed because the aircraft had to be changed due to mechanical problems. Neymar and Marquinhos joined the other players in the gym at the end of the session. Brazil open their World Cup Group G campaign against Serbia on Nov. 24 before facing Switzerland and Cameroon. Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Spain's Ramos disappointed by World Cup omission
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Spain defender Sergio Ramos said he was disappointed to be excluded from their World Cup squad after returning to full fitness following a calf injury that limited his playing time with Paris St Germain last season. Ramos, 36, who joined PSG last year after 16 trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, wrote an emotional letter to fans after missing out on the chance to feature in his fifth World Cup. "The World Cup? Ramos won the 2010 World Cup with Spain. Spain play Jordan in a friendly on Thursday ahead of their World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

☆ Fati in but Thiago and De Gea left out of Spain World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Spain included Barcelona's Ansu Fati but left out Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea from their 26-man World Cup squad on Friday. But the forward is fighting his way back from four surgeries to repair an injury to his left knee, suffered in November 2020. "Youth gives you freedom because you are not yet aware of the consequences," Luis Enrique said. "There's no one outside of Spain who rules out Spain as a candidate to be among the best. Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Paris St Germain), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri Gonzalez (Barcelona), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid).

☆ Injured Dybala named in Argentina's 26-man World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 11 (Reuters) - Injured forward Paulo Dybala made the cut as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni named on Friday his 26-man squad for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup in Qatar, where Lionel Messi will lead the side. Dybala has not played for his club AS Roma since early October but has been named in the squad as Argentina hope he regains his fitness before their World Cup campaign begins on Nov. 22 against Group C opponents Saudi Arabia. Messi, 35, will be playing in his fifth World Cup and will be accompanied by fellow veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi along with fresh faces who helped Argentina win the Copa America title last year. Dreams do come true, let's go Argentina," Paredes, who did not make the final cut for the 2018 World Cup, said on Instagram. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, one of Argentina's heroes at the Copa America last year, will also be making his World Cup debut this year.

☆ Factbox: List of squads for the 2022 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Midfielders: Aaron Mooy (Celtic), Jackson Irvine (FC St. Pauli), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Keanu Baccus (St Mirren). Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras). Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United). Midfielders: Thomas Delaney (Sevilla), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur). JAPANDefender Yuta Nakayama was called up but will miss the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury.

☆ Liverpool draw Real in Champions League last 16 in repeat of last season's final
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NYON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Holders Real Madrid will face English Premier League side Liverpool once again in the Champions League last 16 - a repeat of last season's final - while Paris St Germain will take on German champions Bayern Munich. Madrid edged Liverpool in a tense final in May thanks to a Vinicius Junior strike. English Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been given tough assignments despite winning their groups, taking on Serie A champions AC Milan and the Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund respectively. Premier League champions Manchester City, who were unbeaten in the group stages as they chase their first-ever European Cup crown, will take on German side RB Leipzig. Draw in full:RB Leipzig v Manchester CityClub Brugge v BenficaLiverpool v Real MadridAC Milan v Tottenham HotspurEintracht Frankfurt v NapoliBorussia Dortmund v ChelseaInter Milan v PortoParis St Germain v Bayern Munich*Team mentioned first will host the first legReporting by Peter Hall in Leeds and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Alves makes Brazil World Cup squad, Firmino left out
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Brazil have included 39-year-old defender Daniel Alves but left out Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino in their 26-man World Cup squad which was named by coach Tite on Monday. After leaving Barcelona at the end of last season, Alves went to Mexico to try to keep his dream of playing in his fourth World Cup with five-times champions Brazil. Alves has been working on his recovery with the Barcelona academy medical and technical staff over the last few weeks. According to Tite, Alves' long history with Brazil and leadership qualities in the changing room were valuable but not the main reason he got a spot in the squad. The squad and Tite will gather on Nov. 14 at Juventus' training facilities in Turin, where Brazil will hold a five-day training camp before flying to Doha on Nov. 19.

☆ Late Danilo header earns PSG victory at Lorient
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Danilo's late header helped unbeaten Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain beat a lively Lorient side 2-1 at the Stade du Moustoir on Sunday, after Terem Moffi's brilliant second-half goal had cancelled out Neymar's early opener for the visitors. Lorient's top-scorer Moffi made amends nine minutes into the second half after being set up by Enzo Le Fee's through ball, rifling his shot over PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for his ninth league goal of the season. Moffi was inches away from putting Lorient ahead but his shot struck the crossbar and the hosts weathered an intense period of pressure from PSG before Danilo powered his header from Neymar's corner past Mannone in the 81st minute. PSG, with 38 points from 14 games, restored their five-point cushion over second-placed Lens while Lorient remained fourth, level on 27 points with Rennes before their Brittany rivals travel to Lille later on Sunday. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Veteran Navas still Costa Rica's number one despite limited game time
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The least I have to be testing is Keylor Navas," Suarez said. Navas' experience was key to Costa Rica's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign as the veteran commanded his box and kept seven clean sheets in 13 appearances as they conceded only eight times -- the joint second-best record after Canada. He also made numerous saves in the inter-confederation playoff against New Zealand in a nervy 1-0 win to seal their spot for Qatar, with a heavily criticised Suarez vindicated for sticking with Costa Rica's old warhorse. But despite being the most successful player in Costa Rica's squad, Navas remains a down-to-earth person and a leader to look up to. "People think he's up there on top of Olympus but no, he's in the same place everyone else is.

☆ Factbox: World Cup 2022: which major football players are missing FIFA tournament?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Following is a list of players who have been ruled out or are doubtful for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup through injury. The 29-year-old resumed training but on Oct. 31 his agent said the midfielder would not return to action for Juventus nor the world champions before the World Cup. PEDRO NETO (PORTUGAL)The 22-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers winger will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained against West Ham United in October. BOUBACAR KAMARA (FRANCE)The Aston Villa midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury in September that will keep him out until after the World Cup. SADIO MANE (SENEGAL)Sadio Mane has been named in Senegal's squad for the World Cup despite suffering an injury playing for Bayern Munich.

☆ Merciless Bayern beat a sorry Barcelona 3-0
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mane beat Spanish defender Hector Bellerin in a 50-metre race and scored with a tidy finish. Bayern doubled their lead in similar fashion 21 minutes later, catching the Barca defence sleeping and out of position. Pavard scored the third goal in the very last play of the game, with a close-range strike from a corner. But you have to do that when you play against Barcelona," Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann told DAZN. Last year, Barca's exit at the group stage came after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain and the financial crisis that led to the resignation of the entire club board.

☆ Brazil's top footballers lean toward Bolsonaro in polarized race
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In a country where evangelical churches have made major inroads in poorer communities, eroding the Catholic majority, many footballers wear their evangelical faith on their sleeve. "There is this slogan that I love," Alves said, using a stock Bolsonaro phrase: "Brazil above everything, God above all." Bolsonaro lost the first round to his leftist challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by a tighter-than-expected margin, setting up an Oct. 30 runoff. The outpouring on social media bolstered the growing anecdotal evidence that many of Brazil's most prominent soccer players now lean to the right. Top footballers' embrace of Bolsonaro has jibed with a growing tradition among conservative Brazilians who don the national team's famous yellow jersey in street demonstrations, as Bolsonaro himself has done occasionally.

☆ Killing of 12-year-old girl shocks France and sparks far-right immigration fury
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Elie Petit | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Patrick-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS — The killing of a 12-year-old girl whose body was found inside a plastic trunk has left France “profoundly shaken” and led to accusations that far-right lawmakers have politicized her death to attack the government's immigration policies. ET) on Friday, the Paris state prosecutor said in a statement Monday. A 43-year-old man is also in custody, charged with helping to hide the girl’s body, according to a prosecutors’ statement. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti told the National Assembly on Tuesday that the arrested woman was given an order to leave France on Aug. 22. Far-right politicians have since lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government and blamed its immigration policies for the girl’s death.

☆ France begins nationwide strike amid soaring inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Juliette Jabkhiro | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

French students block the entrance of the Lycee Montaigne high school to protest as part of a nationwide day of strike in Paris, France, October 18, 2022. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesPARIS, Oct 18 (Reuters) - French trade unions began a nationwide strike on Tuesday, asking for higher salaries amid decades-high inflation and posing President Emmanuel Macron one of his stiffest challenges since his reelection in May. French public railway operator SNCF said that traffic on local connections was down 50% but that there were no major disruptions on national lines. Civil service workers' unions have also called for joining Tuesday's strike, with possible disruptions in schools and other public facilities. The leader of hard-left party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), Jean-Luc Melenchon, marched alongside this year's Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Annie Ernaux.

Search resuls for: "Paris St"

25 mentions found