Neymar’s tweet immediately after Brazil’s last-gasp World Cup win against Japan has gone viral. The veteran didn’t get on the pitch, but was quick to shut up one major doubter.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men made a second-half comeback after falling behind to a Kaishu Sano strike to progress to the Round of 16, where they’ll meet either Ivory Coast or Norway. Casemiro and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli scored the goals to send the South Americans through.

Not content with just winning in stoppage time, Brazil’s players have been on a mission to prove a point to their doubters. First, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha was spotted shouting a five-word message to a Japan player who claimed Brazil were no longer a powerhouse.

Neymar Sends Message to Economist After World Cup Win

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Now, Neymar has turned his attention to a man who predicted Japan would knock Brazil out of the biggest international competition. After the five-time world champions sealed a place in the last 16, the Santos forward jumped straight on social media.

In a tweet, which has since gone viral, the legendary attacker said: “Mr. Joachim Klement… please try again at the next World Cup.”

But that left many football fans confused. Who is Joachim Klement? Well, it proves Neymar has been paying close attention to what has been said about his country this summer. Klement is a man who claims to have correctly predicted the winners of the last three World Cups.

He’s a German economist who believes he has a ‘100% accurate formula’ after predicting Germany’s triumph in 2014, France winning in Russia four years later, and Lionel Messi’s Argentina lifting the trophy in Qatar.

Ahead of this year’s competition, Klement put his algorithm to work again. In terms of the winner, he concluded that the Netherlands would win their first-ever World Cup.

But, while he did have Brazil down with a 99% chance of progressing from the group stages, Klement’s algorithm had Brazil being knocked out by Japan in the Round of 32. That clearly hasn’t happened, despite looking very possible at one stage, and Neymar made sure to remind the mathematician. See his full group stage and knockout round predictions below.

Klement’s Predictions Scarily Accurate… Mostly

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At the time of writing (June 29), Klement’s predictions for the Round of 16 fixtures look like they could be scarily accurate. Croatia vs Spain, Germany vs France and Netherlands vs Canada are games that could take place in reality, depending on results in the Round of 32.

Spain vs Belgium and Netherlands vs France could also be quarter-final fixtures he’s got spot on. Japan vs England can’t happen, but Neymar’s Brazil could meet Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.

Klement predicted Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to meet in the quarter-final, but that now can’t happen until the final. However, most importantly, his prediction of the Netherlands winning it all could still come to fruition.

Tottenham appear to be facing some potential difficulty in landing a deal for Sandro Tonali this summer, as Marca reports that a rival is preparing a bid for the midfielder.

Spurs have been pushing to land the Italian international this summer as part of a major midfield overhaul, with the expectation of two possible arrivals in the central ranks in the coming weeks.

Talks are ongoing to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, with intense competition from Manchester United for his signature along with a host of other clubs such as PSG and Real Madrid.

However, it’s Tonali that Tottenham have accelerated their interest in. Spurs have already agreed personal terms on a huge £275,000-a-week contract, per reports, and are looking to close an agreement with Newcastle to land him.

The Magpies are believed to be holding out for £100 million to facilitate an exit, a fee that clubs are looking to dwindle down to a slightly more affordable price.

But now, Spurs face the possibility of a hijack with a first offer being prepared by their rivals.

Man City Ready Sandro Tonali Offer

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While Tottenham have been in hot pursuit of Tonali, there has been interest from rivals Arsenal and Manchester City for the midfielder as well this summer.

However, with the former backing out and the latter landing Elliot Anderson for £116 million, it seemed as though the path had cleared for Spurs to seal a deal with relative comfort.

Now, however, Marca reports that Man City are lining up a huge bid to try and tempt Newcastle to part ways with their midfield maestro in the coming weeks.

It’s claimed that a bid in the region of €110m (£95m) is being prepared by the club, who are keen to add Tonali next to Anderson as part of a new-look midfield pairing.

It comes as a huge potential blow to Tottenham, and as a possible hijack for the North London side, who may need to change their approach in negotiations with Newcastle in the transfer market.

The amount prepared by Man City is not set to meet the valuation set by the Magpies, which may see them reject a sale, but would only further reinforce how much Spurs may need to pay to land him.

Tottenham’s Challenging Market

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Tottenham have done well in the market so far, landing four signings who will help bring some strength in depth across the whole of the squad.

The challenge was always going to come when other teams get involved for signings, especially if they hold the advantage in a potential battle.

Man City could offer more than Spurs, if they wish to, while there is also a certain guarantee of trophy opportunities and a chance to impress in the Champions League.

That is tough for Tottenham to compete with, and underlines how difficult the market could be for the club moving forward into areas, such as the midfield and forward lines.

It remains to be seen whether they can convince Tonali that N17 is the best place for him, but it will be a monumental task if Man City do push ahead with a bid.

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has caused quite a stir with what he said to the Japan player who claimed that “Brazil used to be a powerhouse” ahead of his side’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup victory on Monday evening. Carlo Ancelotti and co. left it late to complete the comeback in Houston and book their place in the Round of 16.

Kaishu Sano gave Japan a shock lead just before the 30-minute mark, but a series of second-half changes helped the five-time world champions wrestle back control and put their stamp on the contest. Casemiro powered home the equaliser in the 56th minute before Gabriel Martinelli emerged as the hero off the bench, poking in a dramatic 96th-minute winner after the ball trickled beyond the goalkeeper, kissed the post and crossed the line.

While Japan are renowned for their sportsmanship, there was no shortage of needle between the two sides. Before the showdown, Kento Shiogai had talked the talk by questioning Brazil’s standing among the game’s elite. But after failing to walk the walk, Cunha wasted little time in giving him a taste of his own medicine, firing back with a pointed response of his own after the final whistle.

What Cunha Said to Shiogai in Heated Exchange After Brazil 2-1 Japan

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In what Ancelotti later branded ‘mind games’, Shiogai had said: “I don’t hear much about Brazil these days,” after claiming: “Brazil used to be a powerhouse, but now only France and Argentina are strong.” He only played six minutes at this World Cup, and Cunha wasn’t prepared to let his comments slide as he could be seen saying after the final whistle (while holding up five fingers):

Also asked about the statement from Shiogai, captain Marquinhos said he saw a bit of arrogance in the Japanese player’s attitude, but Brazil eventually found a way to get themselves over the line.

His Gesture has Caused a Stir

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While many Brazilians applauded the five-word message, with one X user remarking: “He put him in his place” and another saying: “Pride and arrogance is back! That’s what we wanted!” neutrals have offered a different perspective on things.

Indeed, it seems the rest of the football world find the Man United winger’s comments a little bizarre, considering he hasn’t contributed to any of their success. In some ways, Cunha’s gesture proves his opponent right until he has something more recent to shout about, as one critic wrote: “Just setting himself up to be a meme.” Another also added:

Elsewhere, one last comment concluded: “Players bragging with trophies they didn’t win should be abolished.” Brazil will face Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at 21:00 GMT on Sunday night.