Neymar Jr. Skips Crucial Soccer Match for Poker Tournament

Neymar Jr., the Brazilian soccer star, found himself in hot water with fans after skipping a crucial match for his club, Santos FC, to participate in a poker tournament in São Paulo. The 34-year-old attacking midfielder was supposed to play in a significant game against Universidad Central in Venezuela as part of the Copa Sudamericana. However, Neymar chose to stay in Brazil and compete in the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) instead.

Santos FC, Neymar's club, gave him the day off to play in the poker tournament. Despite the club's support, fans were not pleased with Neymar's decision. The soccer star posted footage of himself training at the club’s practice facility, which only further agitated the fanbase. After the match, which Santos won 4-1, Neymar posted on social media, “Life is a joke. Don’t take life so seriously.”

Neymar's commitment to soccer has been questioned before. French soccer legend Emmanuel Petit criticized Neymar, stating that his passion for poker has affected his performance on the pitch. Neymar has more than $116,000 in live tournament winnings and plays high-stakes cash games as well. In 2021, he signed on as an ambassador with PokerStars, a move to appeal to both soccer fans and the growing Brazilian poker scene. Neymar has played for some of the world’s most successful clubs, including FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.