HOLA!

Brazil sensation Neymar has been producing magical moments in the on-going London Olympics, as El Loco expected before the Games started.

Not only the 20-year-old Santos superstar scored goals, he was also effective in creating openings for his teammates as the Brazilians advanced to the last eight in style.

He also thrilled the fans once he had the ball at his feet. He is surely a great entertainer of the game. He is an influential figure for Brazil as they hunt for their first ever Olympics gold.

This is not the main story, though.

The story is whether he will make a move to Spanish giants Barcelona after the London Games?
         
Neymar (pic), already with the senior Brazil squad, is widely expected to move to Primera Liga after the 2014 World Cup.

Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently admitted the Catalans would like to sign the striker before the close of the current transfer window.

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro, however, dismissed the possibility of Neymar joining Barca after the Olympics - insisting the striker will, at the very least, see out the remaining two years of his contract with the club.

Ribeiro claims Barca president Sandro Rosell also knows full well that attempting to do so would be an exercise in futility.

"Neymar is a phenomenon and I'm sure that given his performances at the Olympics, this year he will be ranked among the top three players in the world, and we will not be selling him," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"Rosell is a very intelligent man and has enough information available to him to avoid wasting time trying to talk with Neymar about moving now. Neymar leaving before 2014 is impossible.

"Neymar will be free to decide his future in 2014."

Well... what' about Neymar's thoughts?

He has hinted he would love to be at Nou Camp and get involved in the glamorous Primera Liga and Champions League.
 
Barca fans, of course, are praying to see Neymar arriving early at the club and join superstars Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Alexis Sanchez.

Actually, El Loco would love to see Neymar strutting his stuff in Primera Liga, which comprises so many technical or skillful players.

Taking about Barca, there will be this interesting scheduled friendly between them and Manchester United in Gothenburg on Aug 8.

And Spain international leftback Jordi Alba, who starred in Spain's triumph at Euro 2012, could make his first appearance for Barca in this clash.

The 23-year-old, who signed for the club in June in a €14 million deal, has not yet had the chance to feature for the Blaugrana after joining his country's Olympics squad.

Alba flew into Barcelona yesterday following La Roja's early exit in London.

Should be  an interesting match this one. It may be a friendly but pride is certainly at stake here.

This friendly aside, El Loco is happy  to know that Newcastle centerback Fabricio Coloccini has been handed a recall to the Argentina national team after a three-year absence for La Albiceleste's friendly with Germany on Aug 15.

The 30-year-old was the only new face among the 18 foreign-based players called up by coach Alejandro Sabella.

Coloccini, who had a great season with the Magpies last season, joins Napoli men Federico Fernandez and Hugo Campagnaro and Benfica's Ezequiel Garay in battling for a place in the center of defence.
 
The defence has not been convincing if based on Argentina's performances in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and friendlies.

The 6ft 1in Coloccini, if he can maintain his form, will strengthen the Argentine defence.

And El Loco would love to see him partnering Garay at the heart of defence against the Germans. Don't forget the Barca and Red Devils, as well.
 
Adios!

 - mD