Neymar: Surprising Facts About the Brazilian Soccer Sensation

Brazilian soccer sensation Neymar was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes. Rising through Santos FC's youth academy, he debuted professionally at 17, achieving success with Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores wins.

Neymar joined FC Barcelona in 2013, forming a formidable trio and winning the UEFA Champions League in 2015. In 2017, he made a record-breaking €222 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar's impact extends to the Brazil National Team, winning the Confederations Cup and a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. His skill and popularity make him a football icon worldwide.

Every fan knows how great the Brazilian soccer sensation is, but there are some Neymar facts that are unknown to many. Below are some of them.

A Die-Hard Basketball Fan

Renowned for his love of basketball, Neymar has been a regular attendee at NBA games, throwing his support behind various teams in the league.

His admiration for LeBron James, the standout star of the Los Angeles Lakers, is well-documented and has been openly expressed on multiple occasions, according to GOAL.

One noteworthy instance occurred in 2018 when Neymar was spotted at an NBA clash between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets in Houston.

The Brazilian soccer sensation goes beyond mere attendance, often showcasing his basketball passion by donning NBA jerseys, with favorites including James and Stephen Curry.

Neymar extends his basketball enthusiasm to social media, where he occasionally shares posts highlighting his love for the sport.

Moreover, his camaraderie with fellow footballers who share a similar fondness for basketball is evident through friendly banter and interactions in the public eye.

He's in 'Money Heist'

Neymar made a noteworthy cameo in the widely acclaimed television series "Money Heist." In this appearance, the football sensation took on the role of Monje Joao, a Brazilian monk, within the storyline.

He Almost Died as an Infant

When Neymar was just four months old, tragedy struck the Santos family as Neymar Santos Sr. was involved in a fatal auto accident. Compounding the distressing situation, baby Neymar was in the car at the time of the unfortunate incident.

The crash left Neymar Santos Sr. with life-threatening injuries, leading to a six-month hospitalization during which he was connected to various medical machines, How They Play noted.

In a miraculous twist, the infant Neymar emerged from the wreckage with only a few scratches, having somehow been ejected from the vehicle during the accident.

Recalling the harrowing experience, Neymar's father vividly remembers cradling his precious son while fervently praying for divine intervention. He expressed the profound sentiment of pleading with God to spare his son.

Fortunately, both Neymar and his father managed to overcome the odds.

He Almost Got Paralyzed

During the 2014 World Cup, Neymar's stellar performance saw him netting four goals in Brazil's initial five matches. However, the turning point came during the quarterfinal clash against Colombia when he encountered a devastating setback.

In the 88th minute of the crucial game, Neymar suffered a forceful knee impact to his back from Colombia's wing-back, Camilo Zúñiga. The severity of the injury resulted in broken vertebrae, abruptly ending Neymar's World Cup campaign.

In statements to the media in Brazil, Neymar revealed the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that a slight deviation in Zúñiga's knee placement could have led to catastrophic consequences, potentially leaving him in a wheelchair.

Neymar's absence in the semi-finals proved pivotal, as Brazil suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Germany, with a staggering 7-1 scoreline.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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