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RONALDO URGES BRAZIL TO TRUST THE PROCESS

Neymar has had an up-and-down recovery from his year-long injury, but Ronaldo believes he can still provide a spark for Brazil next year.

Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario claimed Neymar is the country's "biggest hope" for next year's World Cup, and has urged them to keep him in their plans for the tournament.

Neymar was out for 12 months due to a knee ligament injury, which ultimately led to his contract at Al-Hilal being terminated.

He then returned to Santos in January, making 14 appearances in all competitions, while scoring three goals and registering three assists.

Neymar received a red card in Santos' 1-0 defeat to Botafogo earlier this month, in what could have been his final match for the club with his current contract due to run out on June 30.

However, reports this week suggest he is close to extending his stay at the club and will put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.

Neymar had spoken of his desire to return to the national set-up, and was called up for Brazil's March fixtures, though had to drop out through injury, and was subsequently left out of Carlo Ancelotti's first squad.

But Ronaldo believes Neymar should remain in the thoughts of the head coach, with the aim of making sure the 33-year-old is back in the fold for the 2026 World Cup.

"It's not easy to be out for a year, come back from a serious injury and start playing again as if nothing had happened," Ronaldo told Denilson's podcast, via Goal.

"What Neymar is going through is very natural. It's happened to almost everyone who has had an injury that lasts more than a year. You can look at the statistics. It's very difficult.

"Of course, when he's playing, he'll give his best for the club, but we have to respect the plan. He doesn't have to push himself to the limit all the time during this recovery process, especially since he's our biggest hope for the Brazilian national team.

"I talked to him a lot so he could take it easy, stay focused, train hard, and keep his legs strong. The goal has to be the World Cup."

Brazil qualified for the World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, with two games to spare thanks to a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in their last match.

They remain the only nation to qualify for every edition of the World Cup, with the 2026 tournament set to be their 23rd appearance.

- beIN SPORTS

LIONEL MESSI AND HEAVY SECURITY PRESENCE WERE ON SHOW AS THE REVAMPED CLUB WORLD CUP GOT UNDERWAY IN THE UNITED STATES ON SATURDAY

Lionel Messi and a heavy security presence were on show as the revamped Club World Cup got under way in the United States on Saturday.

Host city side Inter Miami, led by Argentine legend Messi, played out an entertaining goalless again Egyptian giants Al Ahly to kick off the tournament.

Miami were thankful to goalkeeper and man of the match Oscar Ustari for making a string of saves, including one from the penalty spot, to preserve a clean sheet.

Messi came close to opening the scoring in the second period with a free-kick and almost won it late on with an incredible, long-range strike but saw his effort acrobatically tipped onto the crossbar by Mohamed el Shenawy.

This event, which has been much maligned in some parts, may have started without a goal but finally the talk can be about the football - or can it?

Police presence felt in Miami

Matchday was the first time since arriving in Miami earlier this week that it felt like a significant tournament was about to get under way.

Around the South Beach area, travelling Al Ahly supporters were enjoying lunch and drinks before the big game.

The Egyptian side had qualified as winners of the African Champions League and have serious pedigree, winning more league championships (45) and more titles on the continent (12) than any other club, but they could not translate that on to the global stage.

Along the Route 95 highway towards the stadium, advertising boards were showcasing the fixture, declaring it's "showtime" in true American fashion.

The last major game to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium took place 11 months ago when "a party almost became a tragedy" as ticketless fans forced their way in to the ground for the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, delaying kick-off by 80 minutes.

Authorities learned a tough lesson and were taking no chances, making sure there was no repeat this time as police cars with flashing sirens lined the boulevards outside the stadium.

With that match and recent unrest in Los Angeles in mind, police officers with 'counter terrorism' logos patrolled the exterior of the venue and numerous security checks and bag searches were made before entry was granted.

Supporters needed extra time to make their way inside as they were forced to have further checks at a second perimeter point.

It remains to be seen whether the same approach will be taken in Sunday's fixtures, which take place in LA, Cincinnati, New York/New Jersey and Seattle.

Fireworks, razzmatazz and almost some Messi magic

Once through the extensive screening process, it was the first time supporters bearing 'Messi 10' shirts were spotted in the city - and the glaring pink and black shirts were out in their numbers.

"Messi, Messi, Messi" was the chant of choice from his adoring fans, just like it had been at Argentina's glorious run to winning the World Cup in Qatar three years ago.

The former Barcelona forward sent an effort narrowly over and had another bending strike saved by El Shenawy, before curling a delightful free-kick into the side netting which many of the crowd thought had gone in.

The week leading up to the opening game featured apparent ticketing issues but Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he expected "a full stadium" with an "incredible atmosphere".

He positioned himself in the stands at the centre of a front three, flanked by footballing icons Ronaldo of Brazil and Italian legend Roberto Baggio.

What Infantino wanted and what he got were two different things.

Casting a glance around, thousands of empty green seats were clearly evident in the 65,326-capacity stadium and a crowd of 60,927 was announced in the second half.

But the presence of Messi, the sizeable travelling Egyptian contingent - who chanted and waved flags throughout - and an action-packed game made for a watchable contest.

As with all American sporting events, it began with a rendition of the national anthem, with the singer accompanied by a large stars-and-stripes flag.

Students from the local Miami Dade College then carried out large badges of the 32 competing clubs before place them on to each letter of a vast 'Fifa' sign atop a podium in the centre of the pitch, leaving no doubt about whom this competition belonged to.

Moroccan-American rapper French Montana produced a hit in the pre-match build-up, there were fireworks aplenty and, to add further razzmatazz, each player was announced on to the pitch individually before kick-off.

Unlike their illustrious opponents, Miami had supposedly qualified through the back door, achieving the place after claiming the Supporters' Shield - coming top of the MLS in the regular season - before being beaten in the play-offs.

Critics feel MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy would have been a better choice on merit, but that would have meant a Club World Cup without Miami and their main man Messi.

The club's co-owner and newly knighted Sir David Beckham was given a rousing ovation from supporters as he entered the stadium and there were even louder cheers as Messi's smiling face flashed up on the big screen.

Although he came close, the little magician could not provide a moment of inspiration for the expectant crowd in attendance.

Miami failed to win potentially their easiest group game and come up against Portuguese side Porto on Thursday.

"Clearly, when we find Leo in positions and get the ball to him in the best way, that's where we have the most options," said Miama manager Javier Mascherano.

"We take it game by game. We know that the level will clearly rise in the next game because they're a European opponent, but we have to stay with the feeling that it's 11 against 11.

"Anything can happen in football."

Veteran Ustari takes plaudits

The lengthy pre-match activity meant the match began six minutes later than the scheduled 8pm local kick-off time.

Al Ahly should have been 2-0 up in the opening eight minutes, but goalkeeper Oscar Ustari stood big to keep out efforts from Wessam Abou Ali and Emam Ashour.

Former Argentina international Ustari was being kept busy, tipping Abou Ali's free-kick over the bar and making a sharp instinctive save to deny Achraf Dari's towering header.

The best of the lot came two minutes before half-time as the inspired Ustari dived the right way to keep out Mahmoud Trezeguet's penalty after the ex-Aston Villa player was bundled over in the box by Maximiliano Falcon.

At half-time some entertainment was added to proceedings for the crowd as YouTuber iShowSpeed, who seems to be everywhere, Sergio Aguero, Pepe, Kaka, Alessandro del Piero and Youri Djorkaeff took part in a crossbar challenge.

Neither team could find a breakthrough in the second period, with Messi coming inches away, but it was 38-year-old former Sunderland man Ustari who took the plaudits.

"It was a great performance," he told DAZN. "We knew it would be difficult, so many of us are enjoying this experience for the very first time, including me at my age.

"I think we did really well."

- Shamoon Hafez, BBC Sport football news reporter at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

RONALDO NAZARIO DELIMA WANTS TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF BRAZILIAN FEDERATION

🚨🇧🇷 Official: Ronaldo Nazario is now candidate to Brazilian Federation presidency.