NEYMAR is on the verge of hitting the jackpot with his mega-money move to Saudi Arabia – but he plans to devote his career to POKER when he retires from football.
The Brazilian superstar has undergone a medical at Al-Hilal ahead of a stunning £2.7million-a-week transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
AFPNeymar is on the verge of a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia[/caption]
Poker StarsThe Brazilian plans to play poker professionally when he hangs up his boots[/caption]
The 31-year-old, who at £198 is the world’s most-expensive footballer, informed PSG last week that he wants to leave.
He was not in the squad for their Ligue 1 opener versus Lorient at the weekend with boss Luis Enrique now keen to cash-in on him, having made it clear to the club that he wants to build a younger team.
Neymar had asked his representatives to find him a new team and his father has reportedly had meetings with Al-Hilal.
The Saudi side appear to have convinced him to join as various sources are claiming that he is having a medical before penning a two-year deal.
The deal could be completed in the next two days after a fee of £86.3m has allegedly been agreed.
He is now closing in on a switch to the Middle East where he will be hoping to justify his huge wages with more successes on the pitch after lifting trophies across Brazil, Spain and France.
But he already has plans for once he hangs up his boots after previously revealing his love for playing poker, and he hopes to turn professional.
He made the revelation after taking up a role as cultural ambassador for PokerStars having joined the team in 2020.
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Neymar said: “It’s true I plan to turn pro. I feel very comfortable playing poker, and think I can play in major tournaments after my football career is over.
“I began playing during the 2014 World Cup, and I have fallen in love with the game.
“I play poker in an aggressive fashion. My favourite hands are a pair of tens – after my shirt number – and Jack-Five.
“There are similarities between football and poker, in the ways how you read your game and your opponent, and choose when to attack.
“I used to play it a lot while with Barcelona, and we play often at PSG.
“I make myself hard for my opponents to read, although I play too many hands.
“The first time I got a pet dog I named him ‘Poker’ as I love the game so much.
“Every time I sit down to play I aim to win – whether it is with friends, online or in a tournament.”
Neymar is the cultural ambassador for PokerStars
Neymar has had lessons from leading Brazilian poker pros Andre Akkari and Rafa Moraes.
The forward added: “Poker is so much more than just the game, it is a community and a culture and that is what I love about it.
“I am excited to start this next chapter with PokerStars, and we are already collaborating on a number of key areas.”
Neymar became the world’s most-expensive player back in 2017 when PSG forked out £198m to sign him from Barca.
He has not played since March after going under the knife for reconstructive ankle ligament surgery.
Now he looks set to have ex-Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly, former Wolves ace Ruben Neves and £60m winger Malcom as team-mates once he is fit to return to action.
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Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org