What would you do in the aftermath of elimination if you were a player at the World Cup?
If you're Brazil's Neymar Jr., you take a couple days to process the loss – and then you fly to Las Vegas to catch the last of the action at the World Series of Poker.
After reaching the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, the South American footballing powerhouse fell to the upstarts from Norway. While Neymar Jr.'s involvement in the squad was minimal throughout the early stages of the tournament – thanks to a calf injury – he came off the bench in the game against Norway as Brazil faced elimination.
Despite converting from the penalty spot late in the game to add yet another goal to his international tally, he and his Brazilian countrymen were unable to overcome the two-goal deficit created by Norway and their talisman Erling Haaland.
It was no doubt an inadequate finish in the minds of all Brazilians – but perhaps even more so for Neymar Jr. as he announced his retirement from international football, ending his career on the global stage in disappointment.
Now, six days later, he's at the poker tables in Las Vegas – taking on some of the world's sharpest poker minds in the $10K 6-Handed NLH Championship. For some, the grind for glory never ends.
It's probably not on the same level, but a first World Series of Poker gold bracelet might be somewhat of a consolation prize in lieu of the World Cup trophy.
Right?
Day 1 of the tournament plays out today, with 198 players remaining from a total field of 255. The bracelet will be won on Monday.
Will Neymar Jr. make the final table?
A legend on the pitch, a beast on the poker table
Neymar Jr. is, and always will be, a legend in the football community – but he's also no slouch at the poker table.
As a PokerStars Ambassador, the former Barcelona star has no shortage of experience on the online felt – particularly in the site's Spring Championship of Online Poker and World Championship of Online Poker series.
Despite his lack of a trophy in either of the prestigious online tournament series, Neymar Jr. has had more than one final table appearance while contending with the stacked fields – often times playing for big money in events that fall on the higher end of the buy-in range.
While his results in the live arena aren't quite as impressive, he's shown a willingness to get in the mix with the super high roller wizards and battle to the best of his ability – that alone is worth something.
