Poker Play Takes Priority Over Match
Brazilian football star Neymar was absent from a Brazilian Championship match for his club Santos, officially due to workload management. During the time he would have been playing, he was instead engaged in an online poker tournament, spending over $25,000 on buy-ins and re-entries. The veteran forward missed the 0:0 draw against Cruzeiro from Belo Horizonte.
Marathon Poker Sessions and National Team Snub
Over the weekend, Neymar logged approximately 24 hours of poker play, with over 16 hours dedicated to a single tournament. He played for 7.5 hours on Saturday and a further 9 hours on Sunday. His tournament participation cost him over $5,000 for the initial entry and more than $20,000 on subsequent re-entries.
This incident comes as Neymar was also left out of the upcoming Brazilian national team squad by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who called up only four players from the Brazilian domestic league. The poker weekend has sparked debate among fans and pundits about the player's current focus. It is worth noting that on June 23, 2024, a separate incident occurred in the Minas Gerais state championship final, where a massive brawl resulted in a staggering 23 red cards shown following a conflict between Cruzeiro striker Cristian and Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper Everson.
'Yes, I played online. I'm very happy with my performance, I'm fine. Since I, unfortunately, wasn't playing on those days due to the load management plan, I was able to dedicate the free time I got to what I like most outside of football – poker.' Neymar
As one of the world's most famous athletes, Neymar's choice to prioritize poker over a club match has raised serious questions about his professional priorities. This situation could potentially impact his reputation, his relationships with his club and coaches, and his career trajectory moving forward.
As Neymar faces scrutiny over his commitment to football, his omission from the national squad raises further concerns about his fitness and focus. The recent decision by Ancelotti not to include him in the Brazilian team highlights the growing debate around Neymar's priorities. For more insights into the reasons behind this decision and its implications for his career, read about Neymar's exclusion from the Brazil squad.