Rodrygo: I don't want to be the next Neymar

 Rodrygo: I don't want to be the new Neymar

Brazil sensation Rodrygo said he does not want to become the "new Neymar" as he addressed comparisons to the Selecao superstar.

Rodrygo is one of the most exciting young players in football following his exploits for LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

The 19-year-old winger's €45million switch from Santos to Madrid in 2019 has carried weight amid comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and Robinho, who both emerged from the Brazilian club.

But Rodrygo is uncomfortable with the comparisons, telling reporters on the eve of Brazil's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Peru on Tuesday: "From the beginning of my career when I started at Santos, they already compared me as the 'new Neymar' and with Robinho, I always had that weight over me.

"I always said that I wanted to be Rodrygo and make my story, Robinho and Neymar are great idols of Santos and of all the places where they played. I'm just starting out and I think there is only one Neymar.

"I always had that weight over me, but I just want to be Rodrygo."

Rodrygo – who has three international appearances to his name – came off the bench in Brazil's 5-0 rout of Bolivia in Sao Paulo on Friday.

He has made two LaLiga appearances for Madrid in 2020-21, having played 19 matches last term and 26 across all competitions.

"I think it is very important to have a good level, we all know that we have excellent players in my position," Rodrygo said. "It is very important that when it is my turn to play I do well and do what Tite asks of me in training and before each game.

"It is important that I have continuity in my work to continue being summoned in the national team."

Werner fit for Germany's clash with Switzerland, confirms Low

Germany boss Joachim Low says Timo Werner is fully fit for their Nations League clash with Switzerland on Tuesday.

Chelsea striker Werner missed his country's 3-3 friendly draw with Turkey on Wednesday after suffering from flu but was fit enough to come off the bench for the final 10 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 Nations League win over Ukraine.

While Werner looks set to make his 33rd international appearance in Cologne, Low says there are fitness doubts over Julian Draxler, Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg.

"Timo Werner is back to full strength and there are no weaknesses," Low told a media conference on Monday. "He is available.

"But we have small question marks. Draxler has an Achilles problem, Halstenberg is dealing with adductors and Klostermann has knee problems."

Germany have struggled in recent months, with the win over Ukraine marking their first taste of victory in four games.

That has led to criticism of Low and his tactics, most notably from 1990 World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus, who says Germany need to adopt a "different mentality".

Low brushed off the comments, though, and expects his side to deliver a strong performance against the Swiss.

"There are different opinions in football," Low said in response to Matthaus' remarks. "The experts have to express their opinions and that is completely fine and certainly not lacking respect. What is important is that we criticise ourselves internally, and we do that.

"I expect concentration, more precision, courage and the right attacking accents [against Switzerland]. It will be a completely different game than against Ukraine. The Swiss can defend extremely well."

De Bruyne returns to Man City after suffering injury on Belgium duty

Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne has returned to Manchester City after he sustained an injury in the Nations League defeat to England.

De Bruyne was taken off in the 73rd minute at Wembley on Sunday, as Roberto Martinez's side went down 2-1.

It has since been confirmed that the 29-year-old left the Belgium camp to return to City for further treatment and will miss the Red Devils' match with Iceland on Wednesday.

City – who have won just one of their first three top-flight fixtures this season – face Arsenal in their next Premier League outing, and Pep Guardiola will be desperate to have his star man available on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling withdrew from England's squad with a minor hamstring issue and might be a doubt for the Arsenal clash, though Sergio Aguero did return to training prior to the international break.

De Bruyne has started in all of City's league games this term, scoring once and providing one assist from 14 chances created.

No player in the Premier League has laid on more key passes than De Bruyne.

Scaloni compares playing in Bolivia to 'drowning' as Argentina prepare for altitude test

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has compared playing football in La Paz to "drowning" as he braces his team for the challenge posed by competing at altitude in Tuesday's clash with Bolivia.

La Albiceleste will be hoping to build on their winning start to World Cup qualification on, having beaten Ecuador 1-0 on Friday.

But up next is one of the trickiest tasks on the South American football calendar; getting a result in La Paz.

It is situated roughly 3,650 metres (11,975ft) above sea level, making La Paz the highest capital city on Earth and consequentially causing some visiting athletes to struggle due to the air pressure.

Unacclimatised individuals are known to suffer from breathlessness much faster at such altitudes, giving Bolivia a significant advantage in some home matches.

Never has this been more applicable than when Bolivia thrashed Argentina 6-1 in 2009, despite the visitors having the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Zanetti and Javier Mascherano in their starting XI.

Argentina's last trip to La Paz in 2017 resulted in a 2-0 defeat, and with their squad vastly different this time around, Scaloni – who played in their most recent away win in Bolivia 15 years ago – is preparing the team for a gruelling challenge.

"I am going to talk about it with the players one by one," Scaloni said. "We are going to evaluate everyone.

"Before we get to the pitch, we will not realise how players react. Coming two days before the match, the idea was to notice [the effects on individual players].

"We need the players at 100 per cent. If there is a player who is not at 100 per cent, I will speak and make the best decision for the team. The important thing is the hour and a half before the game.

"There is no formula, whether you come the day before the game or two days before. You have to spend 20 days training to have a physical condition equal to theirs.

"Drowning. All the players are going to drown. The issue is the feeling that each one has. We are doing everything possible so that they can get to the game in the best way."

Scaloni's plan for the match will seemingly hinge heavily on captain Messi, with the Argentina coach emphasising the importance of retaining possession and exploiting set-pieces.

"I spoke with everyone and with Lionel Messi in particular," he continued. "There are players who suffer more, others who suffer less, due to physical and training issues.

"We prepare the game in a way that we think can go well. It is a football match. We have a clear idea, we transmit it. The important thing is the journey of the ball.

"We have to use all our weapons. We try to take away the anxiety. We have enough to come here and be at 3,000-odd metres. The more you have the ball, the better.

"When we won in 2005, we scored goals from set pieces. They were specific situations and the game was defined there. We emphasise that."

Argentina and Bolivia have met 20 times in World Cup qualifiers – all five of the latter's victories coming at home.

Similarly, Argentina have only won on three of their 10 trips to La Paz and that 6-1 defeat 11 years ago is the joint-largest defeat in their history.