Granit Xhaka’s first brush with Neymar was light yet memorable. “It did not take much for him to go down, even the slightest touch was enough – that’s how I remember him,” the Switzerland and Arsenal midfielder says. The confrontation took place at the Under-17 World Cup in 2009, when Xhaka’s team faced Neymar’s Brazil in their final group-phase match, and it was a direct one. Xhaka started at right midfield; Neymar on the left. Switzerland were assured of going through, having won both their previous games, but Brazil needed at least a draw. They did not get it. Switzerland prevailed by the only goal, scored by Nassim Ben Khalifa – now of St Gallen – following a corner...
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