Neymar Loses €1 Million in Online Poker Game

Neymar, the 31-year-old Brazilian forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the national team, recently lost €1 million in an online poker game. Despite his image for leading a flamboyant, playboy lifestyle that includes visits to high-end casinos, Neymar’s love of poker is genuine, and he has previously competed in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and Paris, as well as various online tournaments. Although some may find his defeat incredible it was Neymar‘s reaction that most people found shocking, as he shrugged off his setback over an online stream, eliciting both criticism and admiration for his laid-back demeanor.

Neymar’s Unfazed Reaction to Losing $1 Million in Poker

Neymar’s reaction to the loss was surprising. While many expected him to be upset, Neymar simply laughed it off and kept his cool. He even made a joke by pretending to be upset while a sarcastic flute melody played in the background. He quickly turned the situation around and had his sympathizers in stitches with laughter before shouting and covering his mouth. Despite the criticism that followed, the player remained unfazed and even joked about uploading the video of the incident to YouTube. Neymar has been entertaining his fans during his sick leave.

Neymar’s Streak of Bad Luck

The loss of approximately $1.08 million in a single hour on online poker came when he was already dealing with a season-ending injury he sustained in 2022-23. Last year, Neymar was part of the Brazilian team that was considered the favorite to win the World Cup, but they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, which he called “the saddest moment of my career.” He was unable to play due to a fractured vertebra. After recovering from that injury, he started performing well in the current season, but a calf injury in March 2023 forced him to forfeit the rest of the season. He had to undergo ankle surgery and is still in the process of recovering.

To add to his woes, Neymar had to watch his team PSG lose to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a trophy that PSG has been trying to win for years despite spending heavily on superstar players like Messi and Mbappe. Neymar’s absence was deeply felt, and PSG will now have to wait another year to try to win their first Champions League Cup. Despite all of these setbacks, Neymar remains very much in the public eye and continues to entertain his fans with his antics off the pitch.

Neymar’s Passion for Poker

Neymar’s love for poker is well-known; some even claim his celebrity poker skills are good enough to compete professionally. He has been spotted in various casinos and has even participated in the European Poker Tour. Recently Spanish gambling websites reported Neymar had been seen playing poker on online betting sites in France, Portugal, and Spain on Twitch, where he has gained approximately 30,000 viewers, and he has also joined Facebook gaming to continue streaming and gaming. In fact, he has a partnership with Blaze Casino as a brand ambassador.

Despite his passion for the game, Neymar’s interest in poker has sparked controversy, particularly when he was seen playing it after his team was eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich. Some people criticize streaming gaming, which is illegal on Twitch, an Amazon subsidiary, but Neymar seems to be unconcerned about the criticism.

Neymar’s standing as a standout performer in Ligue 1 is reflected in his earnings of £3.2 million (US $3.96 million) per month, slightly more than Lionel Messi’s £3 million. Therefore, losing from time to time doesn’t seem to bother him. Despite the criticism, PSG coach Christophe Galtier has stated that he has no objections to Neymar’s poker hobby because it is his right to do so on his day off.

Final Thoughts

Neymar’s love of poker is widely recognized, and his recent loss of €1 million during an online poker match has sparked both admiration and criticism for his calm attitude. Nevertheless, Neymar remains undeterred and continues to pursue his interests enthusiastically. While some may condemn the football star for losing a significant amount of money in just one hour, high rollers who typically keep their dealings confidential are not surprised. They argue that given his wealth, preferences, and ample time to recover from a major injury, his right is to do as he pleases.