World Cup 2014 News and Rosters: Neymar Wants Lionel Messi, Argentina to Win; Brazil Coach Luiz Scolari Gets Backing
Brazil failed to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, but injured Selecao talisman will be an interested spectator on Sunday's match, expressing hope that Argentina will win against Germany.
Neymar, who did not play in the semifinal match against Germany after sustaining a broken vertebra in the quarterfinals, voiced his support for Argentina, saying that his Barcelona teammate and Argentine star Lionel Messi deserves to win a World Cup.
"Messi's history in the sport is so important, he has won a lot of trophies and I will be cheering for him," Neymar said via FIFA.com. "He is a friend, he is my team-mate and I wish him luck."
Neymar said that it may sound awkward that a Brazilian is cheering for Argentina, but he pointed out that he wants Messi and Argentina defender Javier Mascherano to win against Germany.
"...I have two great team-mates and I'd like them to win," Neymar said. "I have learned a lot from Mascherano and Messi is special in every sense. They deserve the World Cup."
Luiz Scolari Could Retain Brazil Post Despite Blowout Loss to Germany
Meanwhile, despite the growing call for the ouster of Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, the 65-year-old coach will likely stay as the team's coach after the incoming president of the country's Football Confederation (CBF) expressed his support for the embattled tactician.
Scolari is being blamed for Brazil's humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in their World Cup quarterfinal match, but CBF president Marco Polo Del Nero said that he wants Scolari to stay at the helm.
"To me, he stays," Del Nero said via ESPN FC. "What happened was a tactical error. That was the problem. But we all make mistakes -- it can happen to anyone. The important thing is that he did a good job. The campaign and the preparations were good. A base exists."
Brazil will look to salvage some pride when they take on Netherlands in their third-place match on Saturday at the Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil.
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