Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by Bala Kumar
While Santos was busy delivering a commanding performance on the pitch in Venezuela, Neymar was several thousand miles away doing what he loves best off the field: playing cards. The Brazilian superstar sat out his club’s Copa Sudamericana playoff clash against Universidad Central and instead spent his Tuesday afternoon at a Neymar poker tournament in São Paulo, once again turning heads for his off-pitch pursuits rather than his footballing ones.
Santos Cruise to Victory Without Their Star
Santos didn’t need Neymar to get the job done. Coach Cuca opted to rest the 34-year-old forward for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana playoff round, prioritizing his physical recovery over an immediate return to action. The decision paid off handsomely, as Santos thrashed Universidad Central 4-1 in Venezuela, with goals coming from Gabriel Bontempo, Gabriel Menino, Thaciano, and Rony. The result gives the Brazilian club a commanding advantage heading into the second leg and a strong position for the tournament’s knockout stages.
Neymar Trades the Pitch for the Poker Table
With the trip to Venezuela off the table, Neymar used his free afternoon to attend the BSOP Winter event, the fourth stage of the 2026 Brazilian Poker Championship season, held at the Golden Hall in São Paulo’s WTC Complex. After completing a normal training session at Santos’ CT Rei Pelé facility in the morning, the forward made his way to the tables to compete in the Neymar Brazilian Poker Championship appearance that quickly became a talking point on social media.
This wasn’t Neymar’s first rodeo at the tables. It marks the second time he has entered this particular stage of the tournament. Back in 2025, he finished 29th out of 346 entrants and walked away with roughly R$53,500 in winnings — proof that his poker hobby isn’t purely recreational.
The official BSOP social media accounts highlighted the striker’s presence throughout the afternoon, with images and updates drawing plenty of attention from fans who follow both his football career and his growing reputation in the poker world.
A Familiar Storyline for Neymar
This isn’t the first time Neymar’s love of poker has made headlines. Earlier this year, he faced criticism after reportedly spending close to 24 hours playing online poker during a period when he was unavailable for a league match, sparking debate in Brazil about his focus while Santos struggled near the bottom of the table. Responding to the backlash, Neymar has been open about how he spends his downtime, explaining that periods of load management give him time to enjoy the game he loves outside of football.
More recently, he was also spotted taking part in a World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas following Brazil’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup, reinforcing that this Neymar poker pattern is very much part of his lifestyle rather than a one-off distraction.
What’s Next for Neymar and Santos
The Brazilian Poker Championship stage Neymar competed in will continue running through Thursday, July 30, giving him the option to remain involved in the tournament even as his football commitments resume. On the pitch, Neymar Santos fans can expect the forward back in action soon — he’s expected to return to the squad on Saturday, July 25, when Santos hosts Chapecoense at Vila Belmiro in the second half of the Campeonato Brasileiro season.
For now, though, the storyline out of São Paulo isn’t about a goal or an assist — it’s about a poker chair, a stacked field, and a footballer who continues to blur the line between two very different competitive worlds.
FAQs
1. Why did Neymar miss Santos’ Copa Sudamericana match?
Neymar was rested by Santos coach Cuca to manage his fitness and recovery, allowing him to skip the trip to Venezuela while the team secured a 4-1 victory over Universidad Central.
2. Which poker tournament did Neymar play in?
Neymar competed in the BSOP Winter, the fourth stage of the 2026 Brazilian Poker Championship, held at the Golden Hall in São Paulo’s WTC Complex.
3. Has Neymar played in the Brazilian Poker Championship before?
Yes. Neymar also participated in the 2025 BSOP Winter event, where he finished 29th out of 346 players and earned approximately R$53,500 in prize money.
4. Is poker a regular hobby for Neymar?
Yes. Neymar is a well-known poker enthusiast who frequently plays both live and online tournaments, including appearances at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the Brazilian Poker Championship.
5. When is Neymar expected to return for Santos?
Neymar is expected to return to Santos’ squad for their Campeonato Brasileiro match against Chapecoense on July 25, following his rest period and poker tournament appearance.
Founder of PokerClubGames.com and a Poker Researcher with 10+ years of experience in SEO, WordPress development, and gaming content strategy. Specializes in researching online poker sites, poker apps, tournaments, bonuses, and poker strategies. Experienced in poker platform reviews, affiliate marketing, and creating SEO-focused poker content for global audiences.
For collaborations, media inquiries, or poker-related partnerships:
Contact: Info@hugecount.com
