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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mya Bollan

The Celtic Champions League test run Kyogo and Maeda made against Brazil superstars

Japanese duo Kyogo and Daizen Maeda were given the opportunity to weigh out some of Celtic's possible opponents in next season's Champions League.

The Celtic stars both featured during Japan's friendly with Brazil on Monday.

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu named Kyogo in his starting XI, and the Hoops' key man put on a lively show up against Marquinhos and Eder Militao respectively.

Maeda came on for his Parkhead teammate with just under 25 minute to go, injecting some energy during the closing stages of the clash.

It took a late Neymar penalty to break the deadlock, giving Brazil win in the last of Japan's friendly matches ahead of the Kirin Cup on Friday.

The clash bodes well ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign where Maeda and Kyogo are sure to be a big part of Ange Postecoglou's side.

Ten stars who featured at some point could meet the Celtic duo once again in the prestigious club competition, with the friendly providing the Japanese duo a fantastic opportunity to report back to their boss pre season.

Record Sport had a look at the Brazilian players who could feature against the Hoops...

Neymar

Brazil were victorious thanks to a Neymar penalty.

The famous forward would provide Ange Postecoglou's side with tough competition if they end up facing PSG next campaign.

Neymar Jr (Getty Images)

Neymar was linked to a move away from the French giants, but dismissed the rumours stating "there are no other possible choices" other than to stay at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Dani Alves

Dani Alves is set to extend his stay at Barcelona.

The Brazilian stalwart made a shock return to the Camp Nou at the start of 2022, after winning six La Liga and three Champions League titles, during his first spell in Catalonia.

(NurPhoto/PA Images)

And despite being 39 years old, he star will be looking to lift more silverware next season.

Vinícius Júnior

The Real Madrid winger has history netting in the Champions League, scoring two goals in a 3–1 win against Liverpool in the first leg of the 2020-21 quarter-finals.

And more recently, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League Final to give Madrid their 14th title after defeating Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side.

Casemiro

Casemiro has been a Real Madrid since 2013 and has host of silverware under his belt.

(Getty Images)

He was part of the Real Madrid squad that won four Champions League titles in five seasons, from 2014 to 2018 and lifted the prestigious cup again this year after his side were victorious in Paris.

Éder Militão

Militão became a regular Real starter after the exits of veterans Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane from the side's defence.

The star took home a Champions League medal this season, with Real looking to make it two-in-a-row next campaign.

Éder Militão (Pedro Castillo)

He made 12 appearances in their victorious Champions League campaign, including the 1–0 final win over Liverpool at the Stade de France.

Marquinhos


The star scored three times during his debut Champions League season back in 2013/14 with his late equaliser in the 2020 quarter final helping PSG go on to defeat Atlanta 2-1.

Marquinhos (Getty Images)

Marquinhos entered the Paris side's top 10 appearance makers of all time last year, a sure thing to play a key part in PSG's bid for the Champion's League crown next campaign.

Alisson

The Liverpool keeper is familiar with the big stage, playing a huge part in Liverpool's success in recent seasons.

Alisson signed a new contract extension this year, agreeing to stay with Liverpool until the summer of 2027.


The Brazilian already has a Champions League medal in his cabinet with his side runners up this year.
Liverpool will be looking to go one better next campaign.

Thiago Silva

The Chelsea winger came off the bench during his country's friendly with Japan.

The Celtic duo may not have been able to sound out the player for the full 90 minutes, but it will surely have been more than enough to let the Japanese stars know the tricky opponents Thiaga and his Chelsea team makes could provide.

(CameraSport via Getty Images)

Silva has competed in the Champions League every year since 2010 - a hugely impressive accomplishment.

Fabinho

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho also made an appearance during the friendly despite not being named in the Brazil staring XI.

He won the Champions League during his debut season with the Scouse side, also featuring in the competition during his time at Monaco.

(REUTERS)

With the star's vast experience and the strength of Liverpool's side overall, an Anfield clash could be something Postecoglou's men are hoping to avoid.

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus' future looks somewhat uncertain with the star is the bait in the battle between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Pep Guardiola never seemed quite convinced by for all his warm words about work ethic and versatility.

If Jesus opts for a move to the Gunners, Celtic would not have to worry about his abilities.

Gabriel Jesus (Getty Images)

But if the star makes his way to Spurs or in fact remains where he is, the Hoops would have to keep an eye out as Jesus boasts a hugely record in the competition.

He has netted 14 goals in only 22 Champions League games, a record bettered by only three non-European players.

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