Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 6y

PSG's Unai Emery 'very sorry' Dani Alves must race to be fit for World Cup

PARIS -- Departing Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery regrets that Dani Alves picked up an injury towards the end of the Coupe de France final and is now in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

The Brazil international picked up a knee injury towards the end of the 2-0 win over third-tier club Les Herbiers at the Stade de France on Tuesday and tests have revealed that a rest period of at least three weeks will be needed before the need for surgery can be assessed.

Alves, 35, will play no further part for PSG this season and Emery wished the defender a speedy recovery.

"I am very sorry for Dani," Emery said at a news conference on Friday ahead of a Ligue 1 game against Rennes at home on Saturday. "He gives everything at training and in matches. Not many players would go after the ball the way he does, even when he is injured. At 35, he still has the same competitive spirit and I hope that he recovers as soon as possible.

"The medical staff are studying what is best for Dani, but it is certain that he cannot play this weekend."

Emery was again asked about Neymar's future at PSG, but he instead said sporting director Antero Henrique should be presented with the question.

"I am not the person for this," Emery told a journalist who had travelled from Spain. "You have come all the way from Spain to ask this question and for that I am sorry, but I am not going to respond."

Neymar was then unveiled as the face of PSG's 2018-19 home kit, which was released as soon as Emery had finished.

He features heavily in the campaign -- no doubt a swipe at speculation over his future -- and the kit will make its debut against Rennes this weekend.

Wearing it for the first and last time will be midfielder Thiago Motta, who is set to play his final match at Parc des Princes before retirement.

After more than six years at the club, PSG supporters will bid farewell to one of their longest-serving players of the Oryx Qatar Sports Investments era.

"Thiago is an exceptional player. He is also a great guy, with an important footballing history that speaks for itself," Emery said. "He has won 28 titles, played in more than 200 matches with PSG and has given this team a clear identity. He has the necessary qualities to become a good coach.

"What has the club prepared for Thiago? It is up to the club to say." PSG have prepared a tribute to Motta for the match against Rennes, which will also see the Italian and his teammates present this season's trophies to the fans as part of their postmatch party.

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