Renowned Brazilian footballer Neymar, who transferred to Saudi club Al-Hilal last summer, remains a passionate poker enthusiast. Recently, he showcased his poker prowess in an online tournament hosted by the esteemed platform, PokerStars.
Neymar, the shining star of the Brazilian national team, invested $5,200 (approximately 4,800 euros) as the entry fee and eventually clinched the second position out of 59 participants. His remarkable achievement in the tournament earned him a substantial prize of $66,000 (62,000 euros).
The tournament’s top honors went to Dominykas “Mikensonas” Mikolaitis, who secured a prestigious reward of $91,600 (about 86,000 euros).
In a twist of fate, Neymar suffered a severe knee injury this month during a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay. This unfortunate setback has forced the Brazilian superstar to take an extended absence from the field, with preliminary expert estimates suggesting a recovery time of up to a year.
Despite being the world’s most expensive footballer, with a staggering price tag of £198 million, Neymar recently expressed his desire to leave PSG. He was conspicuously absent from their Ligue 1 opener against Lorient, as coach Luis Enrique aims to rejuvenate the team with younger talent.
Neymar initiated his quest for a new club through his representatives, with his father reportedly engaging in discussions with Al-Hilal. Multiple sources suggest that a two-year deal is on the horizon, with the agreement potentially being finalized in the coming days, involving a substantial fee of £86.3 million.
As Neymar contemplates a move to the Middle East, he aspires to make the most of his significant salary by achieving further success on the football pitch. Meanwhile, he has set his sights on a poker career once he retires from professional football. This ambition emerged after he assumed the role of cultural ambassador for PokerStars, becoming part of the team in 2020.