Soccer (Football)
Neymar Jr's Five hero joins world's oldest club
Striker Matty Waller has signed for Sheffield FC
It’s not just Neymar Jr who is on the move – England’s Matty Waller has signed for the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC.
The forward, who was part of the England team who lost the world final of Neymar Jr’s Five out in Rio de Janeiro last month, will now wear the shirt of a club formed all the way back in 1857, long before the game even arrived on South American shores.
Waller pictured with Neymar Jr following the final
© Matty Waller
“Playing in Neymar Jr’s Five helped me learn how to get out of tight situations,” says the 22-year-old. "It’s also given me more confidence as I got to represent England at an international tournament, it’s a big achievement.
Neymar said England were the best team
“It was great to learn about different cultures and styles of play. The world final was intense so there were lots of different tactics and approaches to the format.”
Sheffield FC are in the Northern Premier League, Division One South – the eighth tier of English football. The move is a step up for Matty, who was last plying his trade for Eccleshill United in Division One of the Northern Counties East football league – the tenth tier.
“I spoke to Neymar briefly. He said he thought we should’ve won and England were the best team. We got some nice pictures [together]. Personally, I think it’s a backwards step going to France but it may give him a better shot at the Ballon D’or.”
Waller's team won the UK leg of Neymar Jr's Fives
© Red Bull
And as Waller makes his move to a more historic club than Neymar's (fun fact: PSG is younger than Sandra Bullock), the rookie will also be joining a side with its own big Brazilian connection...
When Sheffield FC celebrated its 150th anniversary back in 2007, losing 5-2 in a friendly to an Inter Milan squad which boasted a young Mario Balotelli, the guest of honour was none other than Pelé.
Sheffield FC's The Coach & Horses Stadium
© Geograph.org.uk / Graham Hogg
It's a club with a rich history and continues to draw grass roots fans to home games at The Coach And Horses Stadium, which has a capacity of 2,089.
Waller, who is from Yorkshire himself, came through the Leeds Academy as a youngster and now divides his part-time footballing career with sales rep work for a manufacturer of fitted kitchens.
The young forward claims the call for Sheffield FC came out of the blue: “I got a phone call off the manager and he asked me to come and play in a trial match. I assisted two goals and they asked me to sign on. I’m buzzing to sign and can’t wait for the season to start."
As for whether he has been asked to sing a song as part of a dressing room initiation, Waller says he hasn't – yet: "Hopefully that won’t happen because my go to song is Barbie Girl."