Neymar's Poker Journey: High Stakes and Early Exits

Brazilian soccer sensation Neymar Jr. recently took a break from the pitch to try his luck at the virtual felt. Competing in the Super Tuesday High Roller event at the PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker 2025, Neymar entered the final table as a significant underdog. Despite his best efforts, the 33-year-old forward couldn't overcome the odds and was the first to bow out, finishing in last place among the seven players.

The Final Table Challenge

Neymar started the final round with the fewest chips, holding less than one-third of the chip leader's total. Facing off against seasoned poker professionals, the soccer star struggled to gain traction and was eliminated early in the competition. However, his participation wasn't entirely in vain. With a $10,300 buy-in, Neymar walked away with $26,111, a respectable sum for a day's work in the high-stakes world of online poker.

A History of Poker Passion

Neymar's interest in poker is well-documented. In 2022, he made his first in-person appearance at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, though he was eliminated before the end of Day 1. His passion for the game dates back even further; in 2018, while recovering from an injury, he posted a photo on Instagram of himself playing poker at home. At the time, his club, Paris Saint-Germain, was busy clinching the Ligue 1 title.

Poker and Beyond

Neymar's love for poker is so profound that he even named his first pet dog "Poker." The Brazilian star has expressed plans to pursue poker professionally after retiring from soccer. Currently, he captains his boyhood club, Santos, in the Brazilian Serie A, where he has scored three goals in 12 appearances this season. However, with the 2026 World Cup in North America fast approaching, Neymar was notably left out of the latest Brazil squad by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Conclusion

While Neymar's poker ambitions didn't yield a title this time, his participation in high-stakes events continues to showcase his competitive spirit beyond the soccer field. Whether on the pitch or at the poker table, Neymar remains a figure of intrigue and ambition.

ESPN's Doug Greenberg contributed to this report.