Neymar is star attraction as fans swarm to Brazil training

Brazil attracted an army of excited youngsters — including one who managed to
get onto the pitch for a selfie — as they held their first training session on Russian
soil ahead of the World Cup on Tuesday .
Around 5 , 000 locals turned out to watch the relaxed session at the Yug - Sport
Stadium , next to the Brazilian squad’ s hotel in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

Tuesday is a national holiday in Russia and many fans opted for vantage points along the road leading to the stadium , while others filled the stand in blazing sunshine.
One young boy broke through security barriers and managed to get close to a group of Brazil players including Neymar ,taking a photograph before being led away .
However , most fans contented themselves with chanting the name of the world ’ s most expensive player , who arrived with his teammates in
Russia in the early hours of Monday fresh from scoring in a 3 - 0 friendly win over
Austria in Vienna .
The 222 - million - euro ( $ 261 million ) Paris Saint - Germain forward made his first
start in that game since undergoing surgery on a foot fracture at the start of
March . He had come off the bench to score in the win over Croatia in Liverpool a
week earlier .
“ Neymar is doing great , thanks to God . I think the way the whole process has been
dealt with was perfect . He has fully recovered , ” goalkeeper Alisson told reporters.
“ It ’s logical that , at first, when he started kicking the ball again , he felt the need
to take extra care of himself .
“ He has had to deal with the fear , which is normal after a serious injury , but step
by step he has built up his confidence. ”
Members of the Selecao had a treat in store for Philippe Coutinho at training,
marking the Barcelona midfielder’ s 26 th birthday by pinning him to the ground ,
breaking an egg over his head and covering him in flour .
Those who started the final pre - World Cup warm - up against Austria spent most of Tuesday ’ s session apart from the rest of Tite ’ s squad, while Manchester United - bound midfielder Fred was not involved as he continues to nurse an ankle injury .
Eager to put their humiliation on home soil in 2014 firmly behind them , the Brazilians appear confident and at ease in surroundings which in this lush part
of Russia are not completely unlike home .
“ Our first impressions are positive , with the beauty of the city and the beach , and
to be able to have lunch with views looking out over the sea , ” added Alisson .
Brazil play their opening game at the tournament on Sunday , when they take on
Switzerland in Rostov - on - Don . They will also come up against Costa Rica and
Serbia in Group E