Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar Jr. has just finished a season playing his heart out for Paris St. Germain. With the World Series of Poker arriving on the Vegas Strip, however, the former Barcelona striker was never going to miss any of the action. Pitching up at Paris and Bally’s Casinos, Neymar Jr. was determined to be a part of the fun.
Neymar’s First WSOP Event
“Neymar Jr. splashed about, hitting a straight flush in a cash game.”
It didn’t take long for Neymar to sit down in an event, and he chose the $10,000-entry Limit Hold’em Championship. For a man on a reported $743,000 per week, it was less than 10% of the money he made that day. Surrounded by fans, Neymar Jr. was in his element, laughing and joking with fellow Brazilian Andre Akkari at the felt (below).
Neymar may not have cashed in that event, but he enjoyed playing and as David ‘ODB’ Baker remarked, it was a special mix of players at the table.
Only @wsop do you get to play with Neymar and @NateSilver538 at the same table. What a world
— David Baker (@audavidb) June 13, 2022
Who cared if Neymar Jr. wasn’t able to cash? He was having a lot of fun and bringing the party to Las Vegas, also known as ‘Sin City’. Sitting down in a cash game, Neymar Jr. set about the opposition and splashed about, hitting a straight flush in a cash game (video courtesy of Johan Guilbert):
Neymar hits a straight flush in cash game highstakes in Vegas ! pic.twitter.com/vR4vzI2RaG
— YoH ViraL (@YoHViral) June 18, 2022
Super Turbo Action for Flying Wing Forward
Neymar Jr. loves nothing more than getting in amongst the action in the middle of the field, before sprinting for the line in an attacking manner. So the $1,000 buy-in Super Turbo event looked made for him. Before he sat down at the felt, the Brazilian soccer legend, who has 73 goals for his country – that’s just five fewer than the legendary Pelé – met with Poker Hall of Famer Phil Hellmuth.
The Legendary @neymarjr in da house! Soccer legend! Good guy. Luckily, I am invited to play in the game w Neymar (it’s fun to play w the greats), BUT had to decline because I am in @WSOP mode! Instead: a lonely meal (by myself) in my room. But, I’ll be fresh for Weds! #POSITIVITY pic.twitter.com/Iy28q2KsM7
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 15, 2022
With a mammoth 2,227 entries, Event #41, the $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold’em event saw a brilliant performance from Neymar Jr. run all the way to the final five tables, as he ended his event in 49th place for prize money totalling $3,959.
When the bubble burst in the event, it happened to be at Neymar’s table that Albert Rogers suffered a horrible bad beat when his pocket aces were outrun by Greg Gabriel’s diamond four-flush. Neymar Jr., stood on the rail with his friends including PokerStars Team Pro Andre Akkari, was initially asked to leave by the security detail inside the casino, but eventually, a case was made for the Olympic gold medal and La Liga winner to stay!
What Might Neymar Play Next?
With some time left this summer, Neymar Jr. will be as welcome as anyone if he decides to stick around. Imagine if Neymar wins the WSOP Main Event…. even a new contract at PSG might not rival the sense of glory in that kind of win!
With many lower buy-in events giving the PokerStars ambassador a chance to really embrace the game in a multi-table tournament like no other, we would see his focus on this sort of game rather than the stoic, serious $100k buy-in events.
Neymar brings the party wherever he goes, so with a transfer to Chelsea now as short at +700 in places, who knows where the numbers might lead the Brazilian this summer if things go his way. However long he stays, poker fans will lap up the Brazil soccer star at the table… and off it!
Photo courtesy of PokerGO, home of the 2022 World Series of Poker, with final tables live streams throughout June and July.
