Brazilian football icon Neymar has swapped the roar of stadiums for the clatter of chips as he stepped into the $10,000 No‑Limit Hold'em 6‑Max event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
His appearance comes just days after Brazil were knocked out of the tournament by Norway in the Round of 16, a match in which Neymar scored the nation's only goal from a stoppage‑time penalty.
The tournament marks a surprising pivot for the player, who announced his retirement from international soccer shortly after the elimination and is now using his competitive break to test his skills at the poker table.
A New Play Off the Field
Santos have reportedly granted Neymar a few extra days of rest before he rejoins the squad for a road encounter with Botafogo, a fixture that will see the club resume its league campaign on Thursday.
While the World Series of Poker is a standard Texas Hold'em competition limited to six players per table, the event underscores the growing crossover between elite athletes and high‑stakes gaming, a trend that has drawn attention from sponsors and fans alike.