Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel defended Neymar after the wantaway star was targeted by the club s own supporters during Sunday s Ligue 1 win over Nimes.

Neymar – tipped to leave the French champions amid links to Barcelona and Real Madrid – sat out the 3-0 victory against Nimes as PSG opened their title defence with three points.

Amid growing speculation over an imminent departure, sections of the Parc des Princes aimed derogatory chants towards Neymar before and during the match.

It s a little difficult, I don t know what to say. I saw [the public s reaction on Neymar] on my colleagues phones because I hadn t heard that during the game, Tuchel said about the chants directed at Neymar.

Can I understand that? Yes and no, that s the way …

Cristiano Ronaldo will always be remembered by Real Madrid, says club captain Sergio Ramos.

Madrid confirmed on Tuesday that Ronaldo, their all-time leading goalscorer, has stunningly agreed a move to Juventus.

Ronaldo departs having scored 450 goals for the club, helping them to win four Champions League titles in the last five years.

And Ramos was quick to pay tribute to the five-time Ballon d Or winner, who said in an open letter it was time for a new cycle in his career.

Cristiano, your goals, your numbers and everything we ve won together speak for themselves, Ramos wrote on Twitter. 

You have earned a special place in the history of Real Madrid. As Madridistas we ll remember you always.

It s been a pleasure to play alongside you…

Portu’s smart finish saw Girona return to the top of LaLiga with victory at Celta Vigo.

The season’s surprise package continue to keep Real Madrid at bay and Portu’s goal was enough to see them win 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Sevilla, meanwhile, remain just a point clear of the relegation zone after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Osasuna.

Isaac Romero had put the hosts ahead only for Ante Budimir to level 10 minutes after the restart, with Suso sent off for Sevilla in the latter stages.

MEMPHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish)

Cadiz are a point behind Sevilla having played out a goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao while Samuel Lino and Memphis Depay goals saw Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 2-0.

Marie-L…

Costa Rica collected their first points at the 2009 World Youth Championship, beating Australia 3-0 in Wednesday s Group E clash.

The Central Americans were never truly threatened by their Australian opponents, and took the lead through Diego Madrigal in the 35th minute.

An own goal from Luke Devere doubled the gap with eight minutes left in regular time, and David Guzman added a third in the 93rd minute.

Costa Rica move to third place with three points from two games, but do still have a negative goal record as the victory over Australia wasn t as big as the 5-0 defeat by Brazil in their opening game.

Australia s chances of making it to the next round are close to zero, after having lost both of their first two games.

…

Algeria boss Georges Leekens is wary of underestimating Zimbabwe in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener in Franceville on Sunday.

Leekens has arguably one of the strongest squads in the competition at his disposal but, with Tunisia and Senegal also in the pool, he knows the importance of getting off to a strong start.

The Belgian has reason for caution, with Zimbabwe winning the previous AFCON encounter between the two sides 2-1 in a 2004 group-stage clash and having drawn with Ivory Coast and Cameroon in pre-tournament friendlies.

Zimbabwe are a respectable team with great potential, Leekens said at a pre-match media conference on Saturday.

They showed good things in their friendly against Cameroon, which is an additional reason to be careful.

Andre Ayew s penalty was enough to take the points as Ghana got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign up and running with a 1-0 win over Uganda in Group D.

West Ham forward Ayew converted in the 32nd minute after Isaac Isinde was adjudged to have fouled Asamoah Gyan.

It was just reward for 2015 s beaten finalists, who made their class tell and threatened to turn Uganda s first outing in the finals since 1978 into a chastening experience.

But Milutin Sredojevic s side made an impressive fist of the second period, with influential midfielder Tony Mawejje coming the closest to finding the equaliser their efforts merited.

Although the Black Stars were able to claim the points, Baba Rahman s fitness is a cause for concern after Schalke s on-loan Chelsea left-ba…

Dani Carvajal insists Real Madrid have nothing to fear heading to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next week.

The tie is delicately poised at 1-1 after a pulsating draw in the first meeting between the sides at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Vinicius Junior fired holders Real into the lead with a stunning strike in the first half but Kevin De Bruyne levelled with an equally brilliant effort in the second period.

Same spot, same result

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)

Real right-back Carvajal said: “They have world-class players, they move the ball very well, they’re tactically very well worked – but I don’t think we saw a City side that are superior to Madrid.

“The team goes home…

Pep Guardiola admits the Eurovision Song Contest has given him a headache as he looks to keep Manchester City’s treble bid on track.

The Premier League leaders face a crucial trip to relegation-threatened Everton on Sunday, three days before they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

City boss Guardiola would have preferred the Goodison Park clash to be played on Saturday but, with Eurovision taking place in Liverpool city centre that day, that could not be sanctioned for security reasons.

Everton

— Manchester City (@ManCity)

That means Real, who are out of contention for the LaLiga title and are in action on Saturday against Getafe, will have a day’s rest more than City heading into Wednesday’s encount…

Parma striker Antonio Cassano has moved to cool talk of a January transfer after reports linked him with a return to former club Sampdoria.

Despite only having moved to Il Tardini from Inter in the close season, speculation in recent weeks has suggested Cassano may be looking towards the exit door already.

But the 31-year-old capped 35 times by Italy insists he has no intention of leaving Parma in the near future.

These rumours have disturbed me,” he is quoted as saying by Football Italia. I haven’t spoken to Sampdoria president Edoardo Garrone, I’m happy at Parma and I want to remain at Parma.

I’ve always said that I would like to go back to Sampdoria one day, but I am treated like a king here at Parma. I’m really happy in this place.

I’m proud…

Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz has joined PSV Eindhoven on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Costa Rica captain made 14 appearances for the Premier League club this season, having arrived from Twente in 2011.

Ruiz won the Eredivisie with Twente prior to his switch to Craven Cottage but has now opted for a move back to the Netherlands to gain regular first-team football ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

And he has already revealed his intention to help Phillip Cocu s side, seventh in the league, to challenge for the Dutch title.

I m going to do my best for PSV, he told the club s official website.

When the opportunity arose, I was interested. I m really looking forward to coming to train.

It s true that I did not have much (playing) time lately at F…